Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/413

Rh to be chosen by the legislatures; and Virginia supported the resolve, alleging that this ought to be the democratic branch of government, and, as such, immediately vested in the people.

This question was carried; but the remaining part of the resolve, detailing the powers, was postponed.

The 5th resolve, "That the members of the second branch of the national legislature ought to be elected by those of the first, out of a proper number of persons nominated by the individual legislatures," and the detail of the mode of election and duration of office, was postponed.

The 6th resolve is taken in detail: "That each branch ought to possess the right of originating acts." Agreed to.

"That the national legislature ought to be empowered to enjoy the legislative rights vested in Congress by the Confederation." Agreed to.

"And, moreover, to legislate in all cases to which the separate states are incompetent." Agreed to.

, June 1, 1787.

Met pursuant to adjournment. The 7th resolve, "That a national executive be instituted." Agreed to.

"To continue in office for seven years." Agreed to.

"A general authority to execute the laws." Agreed to.

"To appoint all officers not otherwise provided for." Agreed to.

Adjourned to the next day.

, June 2, 1787.

Met pursuant to adjournment. Present, eleven states.

Mr. PINCKNEY called for the order of the day.

The Convention went into committee of the whole.

Mr. WILSON moved that the states should be divided into districts, consisting of one or more states, and each district to elect a number of senators to form the second branch of the national legislature—the senators be elected, and a certain proportion to be annually dismissed—avowedly on the plan of the New York Senate. Question put—rejected.

In the 7th resolve, the words "to be chosen by the national legislature" were agreed to.

Pres. FRANKLIN moved, that the consideration of that part of the 7th resolve, which had in object the making

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