Was not the Founding Fathers’ intent evidenced, concerning census counts to determine state populations and therefore legislative representation, by, of all things, the three-fifths rule? That rule stated that “all other persons”/slaves, other than free inhabitants, were to be counted in population counts as three-fifths of a person to determine legislative seat numbers and taxation. The 14th Amendment allowed those “other persons” to be counted as “whole persons” in census counts.
The Founders, in spite of slavery, found a way to census count all inhabitants for representation and taxation purposes, not just free white people who could currently vote or be considered citizens. Hence, Alexander Hamilton contended: “They are persons known to municipal laws of the states which they inhabit, as well as to the laws of nature.”
Surely, in current census counts, we can acknowledge all whole persons living in a state or district, even those not yet naturalized due to current naturalization wait stipulations. Many of these people pay taxes while waiting. In a sense, they are taxed without representation. More so, if not even counted as any person, not even three-fifths of a person.
Bruce Braden
Carmel, Ind.
The writer is a Mt. Pleasant native.