On the question on Mr. Gouverneur Morris's motion, to reconsider generally the constitution of the executive,—Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and all the others, ay.
Mr. ELLSWORTH moved to strike out the appointment by the national legislature, and to insert, "to be chosen by electors, appointed by the legislatures of the states in the following ratio, to wit: one for each state not exceeding two hundred thousand inhabitants; two for each above that number, and not exceeding three hundred thousand; and three for each state exceeding three hundred thousand."
Mr. BROOME seconded the motion.
Mr. RUTLEDGE was opposed to all the modes, except the appointment by the national legislature. He will be sufficiently independent, if he be not reëligible.
Mr. GERRY preferred the motion of Mr. Ellsworth to an appointment by the national legislature, or by the people; though not to an appointment by the state executives. He moved that the electors proposed by Mr. Ellsworth should be twenty-five in number, and allotted in the following proportion: to New Hampshire, one; to Massachusetts, three; to Rhode Island, one; to Connecticut, two; to New York, two; to New Jersey, two; to Pennsylvania, three; to Delaware, one; to Maryland, two; to Virginia, three; to North Carolina, two; to South Carolina, two; to Georgia, one.
The question, as moved by Mr. Ellsworth, being divided, on the first part, "Shall the national executive be appointed by electors?"—
Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, ay, 6; North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 3; Massachusetts, divided.
On the second part, "Shall the electors be chosen by the state legislatures?"—
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, ay, 8; Virginia, South Carolina, no, 2.
The part relating to the ratio in which the states should choose electors, was postponed, nem. con.
Mr. L. MARTIN moved, that the executive be ineligible a second time.
Mr. WILLIAMSON seconds 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 government. They would be liable to undue influence, which might the more readily be practised, as some of them will probably be in appointment six or eight months before the object of it comes on.
Mr. ELLSWORTH supposed any persons might be appointed electors, except, solely, members of the national legislature.
On the question, "Shall he be ineligible a second time?"—
North Carolina, South Carolina, ay, 2; Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, no, 8.
On the question, "Shall the executive continue for seven years?" It passed in the negative.
