Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/415

Rh would be absurd to have it consist of three. Numbers equal in rank would oddly apply to a general or admiral.

Question put—7 states for, and 3 against. New York against it.

The 8th resolve, "That the executive and a number of the judicial officers ought to compose a council of revision."

Mr. GERRY objects to the clause—moves a postponement in order to let in a motion, "that the right of revision should be in the executive only."

Mr. WILSON contends that the executive and judicial ought to have a joint and full negative—they cannot otherwise preserve their importance against the legislature.

Mr. KING was against the interference of the judicial. They may be biased in the interpretation. He is therefore to give the executive a complete negative.

Carried to be postponed—6 states against 4. New York for it.

The next question, that the executive have a complete negative; and it was therefore moved to expunge the remaining part of the clause.

Dr. FRANKLIN against the motion. The power dangerous, and would be abused, so as to get money for passing bills.

Mr. MADISON against it, because of the difficulty of an executive venturing on the exercise of this negative, and is therefore of opinion that the revisional authority is better.

Mr. BEDFORD is against the whole, either negative or revisional. The two branches are sufficient checks on each other; no danger of subverting the executive, because his powers may by the Convention be so well denned, that the legislature cannot overleap the bounds.

Mr. MASON against the negative power in the executive, because it will not accord with the genius of the people.

On this question was put and carried, ''nem. con.'', against expunging part of the clause, so as to establish a complete negative.

Mr. BUTLER then moved that all acts passed by the legislature be suspended for the space of days by the executive. Unanimously in the negative.

It was resolved and agreed, that the blank be filled up with the words "two thirds of the legislature." Agreed to.