Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/179

1787.] of the propositions submitted to the committee by Mr. Randolph, when it was moved by Mr. C. Pinckney, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to fill up the blank after the words "that a national executive be instituted, to consist of," with the words "a single person."

On the question to fill up the blank with the words "a single person," it passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 7. Nays: New York, Delaware, Maryland, 3.

It was then moved and seconded to take into consideration the 1st clause of the 8th resolution submitted by Mr. Randolph, namely,—

"Resolved, That the national executive, and a convenient number of the national judiciary, ought to compose a council of revision."

It was then moved and seconded to postpone the consideration of the said clause, in order to introduce the following resolution, submitted by Mr. Gerry, namely,—

"Resolved, That the national executive shall have a right to negative any legislative act, which shall not be afterwards passed unless by parts of each branch of the national legislature."

And on the question to postpone, it passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 6. Nays: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 4.

It was then moved by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, to strike out the words "shall not be afterwards passed but by parts of each branch of the national legislature."

And on the question to strike out the words, it passed unanimously in the negative.

It was moved by Mr. Butler, seconded by Dr. Franklin, that the resolution be altered so as to read,—

"Resolved, That the national executive have a power to suspend any legislative act for——"

And on the question to agree to the alteration, it passed unanimously in the negative.

A question was then taken on the resolution submitted by Mr. Gerry, namely,—

"Resolved, That the national executive shall have a right to negative any legislative act, which shall not be afterwards passed unless by two third parts of each branch of the national legislature."

And on the question to agree to the same, it passed in the affirmative.