Reflection wk 5 October 14 (Federalist 54)

“It is not contended that the number of people in each State ought not to be the standard for regulating the proportion of those who are to represent the people of each State.  The establishment of the same rule for the apportionment of taxes will probably be as little contested; though the rule itself, in this case, is by no means founded on the same principle.  In the former case, the rule is understood to refer to the personal rights of the people, with which it has a natural and universal connection.  In the latter, it has reference to the proportion of wealth of which it is in no case a precise measure, and in ordinary cases a very unfit one.  But notwithstanding the imperfection of the rule as applied to the relative wealth and contributions of the States, it is evidently the least exceptionable among the practicable rules and had too recently obtained the general sanction of America not to have found a ready preference with the convention.” (Federalist No. 54)

This statement is in reference to portion of representative in each State; it also brought to light the apportionment of taxes which the rule does not apply equally to all members of State, as person of wealth in this period of time seem to gain more from the head count within State.  During 1620-1800 slave would not be counted as they were property of slave owners, however for State such as New York they would be counted as 3/5; although not a whole number they still made numbers for the State.  This process still today affect the economy in New York when you take in light the prison system where prisoners from New Jersey are counted; although they are members of New Jersey they are counted in New York as they are being held in New York prisons.  Only difference is they are now counted as whole and not 3/5.

I choose to reflect on this portion of federalist 54 as many may say slavery as been abolish, however  as the 13 amendment states “neither slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted”:  This means that slavery have been abolish except for those who have been convicted of a crime.  Federalist 54 no longer counts them as 3/5 however they remain slave of the State because of their conviction and they continues to make larger numbers for the State.