Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/311

1787.] Representatives shall, in like manner, choose by ballot the President. In the choice of a President, by the House of Representatives, a quorum shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states; and the concurrence of a majority of all the states shall be necessary to such choice. And in every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them the Vice-President.

"The legislature may determine the time of choosing the electors, and of their giving their votes, and the manner of certifying and transmitting their votes. But the election shall be on the same day throughout the United States."

The house adjourned.

, September 7, 1787.

It was moved and seconded to insert the following clause after the words "throughout the United States," in the 1st section of the report:—

"The legislature may declare by law what officer of the United States shall act as President, in case of the death, resignation, or disability, of the President and Vice-President; and such officer shall act accordingly, until such disability be removed, or a President shall be elected;"— which passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, 6. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, North Carolina, 4. Divided: New Hampshire, 1.

It was moved and seconded to insert the following; amendment after the words "a member or members from two thirds of the states," in the 1st section of the report, "and a concurrence of a majority of all the states shall be necessary to make such choice;" which passed in the affirmative.

On the question to agree to the 2d section of the report, it passed in the affirmative.

The question being taken on the 1st clause of the 3d section of the report,— "The Vice-President shall be, ex officio, president of the Senate,"— it passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, 8. Nays: New Jersey, Maryland, 2.

Separate questions having been taken on the several clauses of the 3d section of the report, they passed in the affirmative.

It was moved and seconded to insert the words "and the House of Representatives," after the word "Senate," in the 1st clause of the 4th section of the report; which passed in the negative.