The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2 — John Shaqi
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 Williamson, 2^{ds} the motion. He had no great confidence in
Electors to be chosen for the special purpose. They would not be the
most respectable citizens; but persons not occupied in the high offices
of Gov^t. They would be liable to undue influence, which might the more
readily be practised as some of them will probably be in appointment 6
or 8 months before the object of it comes on.
M^r Elseworth supposed any persons might be appointed Electors,
excepting, solely, members of the Nat^l Legislature.
On the question Shall he be ineligible a 2^d time?
Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no. V^a no.
N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. no.
On the question Shall the Executive continue for 7 years? It passed in
the negative
Mas. div^d. Con^t ay.[3] N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no.
V^a no. N. C. div^d. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
[3] In the printed Journal Con^t, no: N. Jersey ay.--Madison's
Note.
M^r King was afraid we sh^d shorten the term too much.
M^r Gov^r Morris was for a short term, in order to avoid impeach^{ts}
which w^d be otherwise necessary.
M^r Butler was ag^{st} the frequency of the elections. Geo. & S. C. were
too distant to send electors often.
M^r Elseworth was for 6 years. If the elections be too frequent, the
Executive will not be firm eno. There must be duties which will make him
unpopular for the moment. There will be _outs_ as well as _ins_. His
administration therefore will be attacked and misrepresented.
M^r Williamson was for 6 years. The expence will be considerable & ought
not to be unnecessarily repeated. If the Elections are too frequent, the
best men will not undertake the service and those of an inferior
character will be liable to be corrupted.
On the question for 6 years?
Mas. ay. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d ay. V^a ay.
N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Adjourned
FRIDAY JULY 20. IN CONVENTION.
The postponed Ratio of Electors for appointing the Executive; to wit 1
for each State whose inhabitants do not exceed 100.000. &c. being taken
up.
M^r Madison observed that this would make in time all or nearly all the
States equal. Since there were few that would not in time contain the
number of inhabitants intitling them to 3 Electors; that this ratio
ought either to be made temporary, or so varied as that it would adjust
itself to the growing population of the States.
M^r Gerry moved that in the _1^{st} instance_ the Electors should be
allotted to the States in the following ratio: to N. H. 1. Mass. 3. R.
I. 1. Con^t 2. N. Y. 2. N. J. 2. P^a 3. Del. 1. M^d 2. V^a 3. N. C. 2.
S. C. 2. Geo. 1.
On the question to postpone in order to take up this motion of M^r
Gerry. It passed in the affirmative
Mass. ay. Con^t no. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d no. V^a ay.
N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
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