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
M^r Gov^r Morris thought no other tribunal than the Senate could be
trusted. The supreme Court were too few in number and might be warped or
corrupted. He was ag^{st} a dependence of the Executive on the
Legislature, considering the Legislative tyranny the great danger to be
apprehended; but there could be no danger that the Senate would say
untruly on their oaths that the President was guilty of crimes or facts,
especially as in four years he can be turned out.
M^r Pinkney disapproved of making the Senate the Court of impeachments,
as rendering the President too dependent on the Legislature. If he
opposes a favorite law, the two Houses will combine ag^{st} him, and
under the influence of heat and faction throw him out of office.
M^r Williamson thought there was more danger of too much lenity than of
too much rigour towards the President, considering the number of cases
in which the Senate was associated with the President.
M^r Sherman regarded the Supreme Court as improper to try the President,
because the Judges would be appointed by him.
On motion of M^r Madison to strike out the words--"by the Senate" after
the word "conviction"
N. H. no. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d no.
V^a ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no.
In the amendment of Col: Mason just agreed to, the word "State" after
the words "misdemeanors against," was struck out, and the words "United
States," inserted unanimously, in order to remove ambiguity.
On the question to agree to clause as amended,
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Cont. ay. N. J. ay. P^a no. Del. ay. M^d ay.
V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
On motion "The vice-President and other Civil officers of the U. S.
shall be removed from office on impeachment and conviction as aforesaid"
was added to the clause on the subject of impeachments.
The clause of the report made on the 5^{th} Sep^r & postponed was taken
up to wit--"All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House
of Representatives; and shall be subject to alterations and amendments
by the Senate. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in
consequence of appropriations made by law."
It was moved to strike out the words "and shall be subject to
alterations and amendments by the Senate" and insert the words used in
the Constitution of Massachusetts on the same subject--"but the Senate
may propose or concur with amendments as in other bills" which was
agreed too nem: con:
On the question On the first part of the clause--"All bills for raising
revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives"[63]
[63] This was a conciliatory vote, the effect of the compromise
formerly alluded to. See Note Wednesday Sep^r 5.--Madison's
Note.
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d no.
V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
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