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
On the question for electing the Executive by the national Legislature
for the term of seven years, it was agreed to, Mass^{ts} ay. Con^t ay.
N. Y. ay. Pen^a no. Del. ay. Mary^d no. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay.
Geo. ay.
Doc^r Franklin moved that what related to the compensation for the
services of the Executive be postponed, in order to substitute--"whose
necessary expences shall be defrayed, but who shall receive no salary,
stipend fee or reward whatsoever for their services." He said that being
very sensible of the effect of age on his memory, he had been unwilling
to trust to that for the observations which seemed to support his motion
and had reduced them to writing, that he might with the permission of
the Committee read instead of speaking them. M^r Wilson made an offer to
read the paper, which was accepted. The following is a literal copy of
the paper:
Sir,
It is with reluctance that I rise to express a disapprobation of
any one article of the plan for which we are so much obliged to
the honorable gentleman who laid it before us. From its first
reading I have borne a good will to it, and in general wished it
success. In this particular of salaries to the Executive branch
I happen to differ; and as my opinion may appear new and
chimerical, it is only from a persuasion that it is right, and
from a sense of duty that I hazard it. The Committee will judge
of my reasons when they have heard them, and their judgment may
possibly change mine.--I think I see inconveniences in the
appointment of salaries; I see none in refusing them, but on the
contrary, great advantages.
Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence on
the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of
power, and the love of money. Separately each of these has great
force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the
same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects.
Place before the eyes of such men, a post of _honour_ that shall
be at the same time a place of _profit_, and they will move
heaven and earth to obtain it. The vast number of such places it
is that renders the British Government so tempestuous. The
struggles for them are the true sources of all those factions
which are perpetually dividing the Nation, distracting its
Councils, hurrying sometimes into fruitless & mischievous wars,
and often compelling a submission to dishonorable terms of
peace.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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