Volume II Part 46 (1/2)

M^r King thought himself the provision unnecessary, the power being already involved: but would move to insert after the word ”purchased”

the words ”by the consent of the Legislature of the State.” This would certainly make the power safe.

M^r Gov^r Morris 2^{ded} the motion, which was agreed to nem: con: as was then the residue of the clause as amended.

The (5) clause was agreed to nem: con:

The following Resolution & order being reported from the Committee of eleven, to wit,

”Resolved that the U. S. in Congress be requested to allow and cause to be paid to the Secretary and other officers of this Convention such sums in proportion to their respective times of service, as are allowed to the Secretary & similar officers of Congress.”

”Ordered that the Secretary make out & transmit to the Treasury office of the U. S. an account for the said services & for the incidental expences of this Convention.”

The resolution & order were separately agreed to nem: con:

M^r Gerry gave notice that he should move to reconsider articles XIX.

XX. XXI. XXII.

M^r Williamson gave like notice as to the article fixing the number of Representatives, which he thought too small. He wished also to allow Rho: Island more than one, as due to her probable number of people, and as proper to stifle any pretext arising from her absence on the occasion.

The Report made yesterday as to the appointment of the Executive being then taken up. M^r Pinkney renewed his opposition to the mode, arguing 1. that the electors will not have sufficient knowledge of the fittest men, & will be swayed by an attachment to the eminent men of their respective States. Hence 2^{dly} the dispersion of the votes would leave the appointment with the Senate, and as the President's reappointment will thus depend on the Senate he will be the mere creature of that body. 3. He will combine with the Senate ag^{st} the House of Representatives. 4. This change in the mode of election was meant to get rid of the ineligibility of the President a second time, whereby he will become fixed for life under the auspices of the Senate.

M^r Gerry did not object to this plan of const.i.tuting the Executive in itself, but should be governed in his final vote by the powers that may be given to the President.

M^r Rutlidge was much opposed to the plan reported by the Committee. It would throw the whole power into the Senate. He was also against a re-eligibility. He moved to postpone the Report under consideration & take up the original plan of appointment by the Legislature, to wit. ”He shall be elected by joint ballot by the Legislature to which election a majority of the votes of the members present shall be required: He shall hold his office during the term of seven years; but shall not be elected a second time.”

On this motion to postpone

N. H. div^d. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no.

V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. no.

Col. Mason admitted that there were objections to an appointment by the Legislature as originally planned. He had not yet made up his mind, but would state his objections to the mode proposed by the Committee. 1. It puts the appointment in fact into the hands of the Senate; as it will rarely happen that a majority of the whole votes will fall on any one candidate: and as the existing President will always be one of the 5 highest, his reappointment will of course depend on the Senate. 2.

Considering the powers of the President & those of the Senate, if a coalition should be established between these two branches, they will be able to subvert the Const.i.tution--The great objection with him would be removed by depriving the Senate of the eventual election. He accordingly moved to strike out the words ”if such number be a majority of that of the electors.”

M^r Williamson 2^{ded} the motion. He could not agree to the clause without some such modification. He preferred making the highest tho' not having a majority of the votes, President, to a reference of the matter to the Senate. Referring the appointment to the Senate lays a certain foundation for corruption & aristocracy.

M^r Gov^r Morris thought the point of less consequence than it was supposed on both sides. It is probable that a majority of the votes will fall on the same man. As each Elector is to give two votes, more than 1/4 will give a majority. Besides as one vote is to be given to a man out of the State, and as this vote will not be thrown away, 1/2 the votes will fall on characters eminent & generally known. Again if the President shall have given satisfaction, the votes will turn on him of course, and a majority of them will reappoint him, without resort to the Senate: If he should be disliked, all disliking him, would take care to unite their votes so as to ensure his being supplanted.

Col. Mason those who think there is no danger of there not being a majority for the same person in the first instance, ought to give up the point to those who think otherwise.

M^r Sherman reminded the opponents of the new mode proposed that if the small States had the advantage in the Senate's deciding among the five highest candidates the large States would have in fact the nomination of these candidates.

On the motion of Col: Mason

N. H. no. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no.

M^d ay.[52] V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. no.

[52] In printed Journal Maryland--no--Madison's Note.

M^r Wilson moved to strike out ”Senate” and insert the word ”Legislature.”