[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It was to restrict the power of the states that could say they had a larger population and so should have a larger say in the government. Citizens counted as one full person, non-citizens (and slaves were not considered citizens) were counted as 3/5.

Something like California and New York today. They have large populations but since a large number of them are not citizens and not allowed to vote they should not be counted in the census.

Hmmm... perhaps we should bring this idea back.

[FirstFlaBn]

So what. Women and children in non-slave states couldn’t vote either, but they counted as a whole person for purposes of representation in Congress. Unfair! Unfair!