The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1Madison, James
History
The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1
Madison, James
Constitutional law -- United States; Constitutions -- United States; United States. Constitution
M^r Gerry moved to restrain the Senatorial branch from originating
money bills. The other branch was more immediately the representatives
of the people, and it was a maxim that the people ought to hold the
Purse-strings. If the Senate should be allowed to originate such bills,
they w^d repeat the experiment, till chance should furnish a sett of
representatives in the other branch who will fall into their snares.
M^r Butler saw no reason for such a discrimination. We were always
following the British Constitution when the reason of it did not
apply. There was no analogy between the H. of Lords and the body
proposed to be established. If the Senate should be degraded by any
such discriminations, the best men would be apt to decline serving in it
in favor of the other branch. And it will lead the latter into the
practice of tacking other clauses to money bills.
M^r Madison observed that the Comentators on the Brit: Const: had not
yet agreed on the reason of the restriction on the H. of L. in money
bills. Certain it was there could be no similar reason in the case
before us. The Senate would be the representatives of the people as
well as the 1^{st} branch. If they s^d have any dangerous influence
over it, they would easily prevail on some member of the latter to
originate the bill they wished to be passed. As the Senate would be
generally a more capable sett of men, it w^d be wrong to disable them
from any preparation of the business, especially of that which was most
important, and in our republics, worse prepared than any other. The
Gentleman in pursuance of his principle ought to carry the restraint to
the _amendment_, as well as the originating of money bills, since, an
addition of a given sum w^d be equivalent to a distinct proposition of
it.
M^r King differed from M^r Gerry, and concurred in the objections to the
proposition.
M^r Read favored the proposition, but would not extend the restraint to
the case of amendments.
M^r Pinkney thinks the question premature. If the Senate sh^d be formed
on the _same_ proportional representation as it stands at present, they
s^d have equal power, otherwise if a different principle s^d be
introduced.
M^r Sherman. As both branches must concur, there can be no danger
whichever way the Senate be formed. We establish two branches in order
to get more wisdom, which is particularly needed in the finance
business--The Senate bear their share of the taxes, and are also the
representatives of the people. What a man does by another, he does by
himself is a maxim. In Con^t both branches can originate in all cases,
and it has been found safe & convenient. Whatever might have been the
reason of the rule as to The H. of Lords, it is clear that no good
arises from it now even there.
Gen^l Pinkney. This distinction prevails in S. C. and has been a source
of pernicious disputes between y^e 2 branches. The Constitution is now
evaded, by informal schedules of amendments handed from y^e Senate to
the other House.
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