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
"_Madison_--The judiciary ought to be introduced in the
business of Legislation--they will protect their department,
and united with the Executive make its negatives more
strong. There is weight in the objections to this
measure--but a check on the Legislature is necessary,
Experience proves it to be so, and teaches us that what has
been thought a calumny on a republican Govt. is nevertheless
true--In all Countries are diversity of Interests, the Rich
& the Poor, the Dr. & Cr., the followers of different
Demagogues, the Diversity of religious Sects--the Effects of
these Divisions in Ancient Govts. are well known, and the
like causes will now produce like effects. We must therefore
introduce in our system Provisions against the measures of
an interested majority--a check is not only necessary to
protect the Executive power, but the minority in the
Legislature. The independence of the Executive, having the
Eyes of all upon him will make him an impartial judge--add
the Judiciary, and you greatly increase his respectability."
After the motion: "Dickinson opposed--You shd. separate the
Departments--you have given the Executive a share in
Legislation; and it is asked why not give a share to the
judicial power. Because the Judges are to interpret the
Laws, and therefore shd. have no share in making them--not
so with the Executive whose causing the Laws to be Executed
is a ministerial office only. Besides we have experienced in
the Br. Constitution which confers the Power of a negative
on the Executive."--King's _Life and Correspondence of Rufus
King_, i., 592.
An Objection of order being taken by M^r Hamilton to the introduction of
the last amendment at this time, notice was given by M^r W. & M^r M.,
that the same w^d be moved to-morrow,--whereupon Wednesday (the day
after) was assigned to reconsider the amendment of M^r Gerry.
It was then moved & 2^{ded} to proceed to the consideration of the
9^{th} resolution submitted by M^r Randolph--when on motion to agree to
the first clause namely "Resolved, that a National Judiciary be
established," It passed in the affirmative nem. con.
It was then moved & 2^{ded} to add these words to the first clause of
the ninth resolution namely--"to consist of one supreme tribunal, and of
one or more inferior tribunals," which passed in the affirmative.
The Comm^e then rose and the House
Adjourned.
TUESDAY JUNE 5. IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Governor Livingston from New Jersey, took his seat.
The words, "one or more" were struck out before "inferior tribunals" as
an amendment to the last clause of Resol^n 9^{th}. The Clause--"that the
National Judiciary be chosen by the National Legislature," being under
consideration.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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