Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Mr. SANFORD said the great object of the amendment ought to be to prevent
persons voted for as Vice President from becoming President. If the
amendment effected this, it was sufficient. All other innovation upon the
constitution was improper; and no danger could arise from extending the
right of the House of Representatives to making a choice from the five
highest.
Mr. RODNEY said that in the select committee he had been in favor of
the number stated in the constitution. He was not for innovating on the
constitution one tittle more than was absolutely necessary. As to the
mere designation of office, the people looked for and expected it; and
if that were obtained, they would be satisfied. He well knew that if
amendments to this simple proposition were multiplied, objections to the
whole would also be increased. Having been originally in favor of five,
and thinking the inconveniences apprehended by some gentlemen not likely
to occur, he should vote in favor of the amendment of the gentleman from
Maryland, principally for the reason assigned by the gentleman from
Connecticut, that it would allow to the smaller States a larger scope of
choice.
Mr. ELLIOT hoped the amendment of the gentleman from Maryland would not
prevail; and coming, as he did himself, from a small State, he trusted
the House would pardon him for assigning his reasons for that hope. He
felt as much confidence in the House of Representatives as the gentleman
from Connecticut; but he was of opinion that their discretion ought
to be limited. The amendment will give the House of Representatives
the unqualified power of electing from the whole number on the list of
persons voted for as President, and on that ground he opposed it. It
was said to be a question of larger and smaller States, and those who
represent the smaller States were called upon to check the usurpation of
the larger States. Our system was undoubtedly federative, and there might
be danger of a usurpation of the large States if the small ones were not
protected by the constitution. His wish was that they might be so guarded.
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