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. TRACY opposed the striking out, as not in order, it being an
amendment to an amendment already received by the House. He thought,
however, it would be in order to reconcile the whole, and then any part
might be amended.
The PRESIDENT said that the motion for amending the amendment was not
in order; but if the member from Vermont, or any other gentleman of the
majority on the question yesterday chose to move for a recommittal, or
even to refer the report to a select committee, it would be in order.
Mr. BRADLEY then renewed his motion as before, for striking out and
inserting after the 13th line; this amendment he thought of great
importance, as under the constitution as it now stands the Vice
President must be a person of the highest respectability, well known,
and of established reputation throughout the United States; but if the
discriminating principle prevails without some precautions such as the
amendment proposed, that assurance would be lost; and he should not be
surprised to hear of as many candidates for Vice President as there are
States, as the votes for President would be offered in truck for votes
for Vice President, and an enterprising character might employ his
emissaries through all the States to purchase them, and your amendment
lays the foundation for intrigues. He was desirous that he who is to
be set up as candidate for the Vice President should as at present be
equally respectable, or that there should be none--that at least he
should be the second man in the nation; adopt the designating principle,
without the most guarded precautions, and you lose that assurance.
Mr. HILLHOUSE accorded with the gentleman’s amendment, as it naturally
grows out of the principles of the report. There was not a word in the
constitution about voting for the Vice President, no vote in fact is
given for such an office; the alteration to designation alters the whole
thing; and as the gentleman has expressed, will send the Vice President’s
office into market to be handed about as change for the candidate
supported by larger States; he would prefer leaving the choice of
President and Vice President at once to the larger States than take it
in this way. In calm times any government may work well, but he wished in
calm times to provide against storm. If we designate any, then designate
both and on equal terms.
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