Mr. SPAIGHT and Mr. RUTLEDGE moved to strike out "five," and insert "thirteen;" to which all the states disagreed, except North Carolina and South Carolina.
Mr. MADISON and Mr. WILLIAMSON moved to insert, after "electors," the words, "who shall have balloted;" so that the non-voting electors, not being counted, might not increase the number necessary as a majority of the whole to decide the choice without the agency of the Senate.
On this question,—
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, ay, 4; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 7.
Mr. DICKINSON moved, in order to remove ambiguity from the intention of the clause, as explained by the vote, to add, after the words, "if such number be a majority of the whole number of the electors," the word "appointed."
On this motion,—
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, ay, 9; Virginia, North Carolina, no, 2.
Col. MASON. As the mode of appointment is now regulated, he could not forbear expressing his opinion that it is utterly inadmissible. He would prefer the government of Prussia to one which will put all power into the hands of seven or eight men, and fix an aristocracy worse than absolute monarchy.
The words, "and of their giving their votes," being inserted, on motion for that purpose, after the words, "the legislature may determine the time of choosing and assembling the electors,"—
The House adjourned.
Thursday, September 6.
In Convention.—Mr. KING and Mr. GERRY moved to insert, in the fourth clause of the report (see the 4th of Sept., page 507,) after the words, "may be entitled in the legislature," the words following:—
"But no person shall be appointed an elector who is a member of the legislature of the United States, or who holds any office of profit or trust under the United States;"
which passed, nem. con.
Mr. GERRY proposed, as the President was to be elected by the Senate out of the five highest candidates, that, if he should not at the end of his term be reëlected by a majority of the electors, and no other candidate should have a majority, the eventual election should be made by the legislature. This, he said, would relieve the President from his particular dependence on the Senate for his continuance in office.
Mr. KING liked the idea, as calculated to satisfy particular members and promote unanimity, and as likely to operate but seldom.
Mr. READ opposed it; remarking, that if individual members were to be indulged, alterations would be necessary to satisfy most of them.
