The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2Madison, James
History
The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2
Madison, James
Constitutional law -- United States; Constitutions -- United States; United States. Constitution
It was moved to insert the words "under the seal of the State" after the
word "transmit" in the 4^{th}. clause of the Report which was disagreed
to; as was another motion to insert the words "and who shall have given
their votes" after the word "appointed" in the 4^{th} Clause of the
Report as added yesterday on motion of M^r Dickinson.
On several motions, the words "in presence of the Senate and House of
Representatives" were inserted after the word "counted" and the word
"immediately" before the word "choose;" and the words "of the Electors"
after the word "votes."
M^r Spaight said if the election by Electors is to be crammed down, he
would prefer their meeting altogether and deciding finally without any
reference to the Senate and moved "that the Electors meet at the seat of
the General Government."
M^r Williamson 2^{ded} the motion, on which all the States were in the
negative except N: Carolina.
On motion the words "But the election shall be on the same day
throughout the U. S." were added after the words "transmitting their
votes"
N. H. ay. Mas. no. C^t ay. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d ay.
V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo.--ay.
On a question on the sentence in clause (4) "if such number be a
majority of that of the Electors appointed"
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a no. Del. ay. M^d ay.
V^a no. N.C. no. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
On a question on the clause referring the eventual appointment of the
President to the Senate
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. V^a ay.
N. C. no. Here the call ceased.
M^r Madison made a motion requiring 2/3 at least of the Senate to be
present at the choice of a President. M^r Pinkney 2^{ded} the motion.
M^r Gorham thought it a wrong principle to require more than a majority
in any case. In the present case it might prevent for a long time any
choice of a President. On the question moved by M^r M. and M^r P.
N. H. ay. Mas. abs^t. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d ay.
V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
M^r Williamson suggested as better than an eventual choice by the
Senate, that this choice should be made by the Legislature, voting by
_States_ and not _per capita_.
M^r Sherman suggested the "House of Rep^s" as preferable to the
Legislature, and moved accordingly,
To strike out the words "The Senate shall immediately choose
&c." and insert "The House of Representatives shall immediately
choose by ballot one of them for President, the members from
each State having one vote."
Col: Mason liked the latter mode best as lessening the aristocratic
influence of the Senate.
On the motion of M^r Sherman
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d ay.
V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
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