The first related to the basis of representation in the Senate, whose members were then apportioned according to the amount of taxable property in the districts.

This system, Mr.Webster thought, should be retained, and his speech was a most masterly discussion of the whole system of government by two Houses.

He urged the necessity of a basis of representation for the upper House different from that of the lower, in order to make the former fully serve its purpose of a check and balance to the popular branch.

This important point he handled in the most skilful manner, and there is no escape from his conclusion that a difference of origin in the two legislative branches of the government is essential to the full and perfect operation of the system.

This difference of origin, he argued, could be obtained only by the introduction of property as a factor in the basis of representation.