Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v5.djvu/547

1787.] and moved to substitute, "until such disability be removed, or a President shall be elected."

Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS seconded the motion; which was agreed to.

It seemed to be an objection to the provision, with some, that, according to the process established for choosing the executive, there would be difficulty in effecting it at other than the fixed periods; with others, that the legislature was restrained in the temporary appointment to "officers" of the United States. They wished it to be at liberty to appoint others than such.

On the motion of Mr. Randolph, as amended, it passed in the affirmative.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, ay, 6; Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, North Carolina, no, 4; New Hampshire, divided.

Mr. GERRY moved,—

"that, in the election of President by the House of Representatives, no state shall vote by less than three members; and where that number may not be allotted to a state, it shall be made up by its senators; and a concurrence of a majority of all the states shall be necessary to make such choice." Without some such provision, five individuals might possibly be competent to an election, these being a majority of two thirds of the existing numbers of states, and two thirds being a quorum for this business.

Mr. MADISON seconded the motion.

Mr. READ observed, that the states having but one member only in the House of Representatives would be in danger of having no vote at all in the election: the sickness or absence either of the representative, or one of the senators, would have that effect.

Mr. MADISON replied, that if one member of the House of Representatives should be left capable of voting for the state, the states having one representative only would still be subject to that danger. He thought it an evil, that so small a number, at any rate, should be authorized to elect. Corruption would be greatly facilitated by it. The mode itself was liable to this further weighty objection—that the representatives of a minority of the people might reverse the choice of a majority of the states and of the people. He wished some cure for this inconvenience might yet be provided.

Mr. GERRY withdrew the first part of his motion; and, on the question on the second part, viz., "and a concurrence of a majority of all the slates shall be necessary to make such choice," to follow the words "a member or members from two thirds of the states," it was agreed to, ''nem. con.''$255$

The second section, (see the 4th of September, page 507,) requiring that the President should be a natural-born citizen, &c., and have been resident for fourteen years, and be thirty-five years of age, was agreed to, ''nem. con.'' 66