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 was ag^{st} a rotation in every case. It formed a
political School, in w^{ch} we were always governed by the scholars,
and not by the Masters. The evils to be guarded ag^{st} in this case
are. 1. the undue influence of the Legislature. 2. instability of
Councils. 3. misconduct in office. To guard ag^{st} the first, we run
into the second evil. We adopt a rotation which produces instability
of Councils. To avoid Sylla we fall into Charibdis. A change of men is
ever followed by a change of measures. We see this fully exemplified
in the vicissitudes among ourselves, particularly in the State of
Pen^a. The self-sufficiency of a victorious party scorns to tread in the
paths of their predecessors. Rehoboam will not imitate Soloman. 2. the
Rotation in office will not prevent intrigue and dependence on the
Legislature. The man in office will look forward to the period at which
he will become re-eligible. The distance of the period, the
improbability of such a protraction of his life will be no obstacle.
Such is the nature of man, formed by his benevolent author no doubt for
wise ends, that altho' he knows his existence to be limited to a span,
he takes his measures as if he were to live for ever. But taking another
supposition, the inefficacy of the expedient will be manifest. If the
magistrate does not look forward to his re-election to the Executive, he
will be pretty sure to keep in view the opportunity of his going into
the Legislature itself. He will have little objection then to an
extension of power on a theatre where he expects to act a distinguished
part; and will be very unwilling to take any step that may endanger his
popularity with the Legislature, on his influence over which the figure
he is to make will depend. 3. To avoid the third evil, impeachments will
be essential. And hence an additional reason ag^{st} an election by the
Legislature. He considered an election by the people as the best, by the
Legislature as the worst, mode. Putting both these aside, he could not
but favor the idea of M^r Wilson, of introducing a mixture of lot. It
will diminish, if not destroy both cabal & dependence.
M^r Williamson was sensible that strong objections lay ag^{st} an
election of the Executive by the Legislature, and that it opened a door
for foreign influence. The principal objection ag^{st} an election by
the people seemed to be, the disadvantage under which it would place the
smaller States. He suggested as a cure for this difficulty, that each
man should vote for 3 candidates, one of them he observed would be
probably of his own State, the other 2. of some other States; and as
probably of a small as a large one.
M^r Gov^r Morris liked the idea, suggesting as an amendment that each
man should vote for two persons one of whom at least should not be of
his own State.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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