Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/237

 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 9-3I Thursday MADISON August 9 as a qualification of candidates for the House of Represen- tatives. Art. IV. sect. 6 & 7 .3 Agreed to hem. con. Art. V. sect. I. taken up. Mr. Wilson objected to vacancies in the Senate being sup- plied by the Executives of the States. It was unnecessary as the Legislatures will meet so frequently. It removes the appointment too far from the people; the Executives in most of the States being elected by the Legislatures. As he had always thought the appointment of the Executives by the Legislative department wrong: so it was still more so that the Executive should elect into the Legislative department. Mr. Randolph though it necessary (in order) to prevent inconvenient chasms in the Senate. In some States the Legis- latures meet but once a year. As the Senate will have more power & consist of a smaller number than the other House, vacancies there will be of more consequence. The Executives might be safel 7 trusted (he thought with the appointment for so short a time. Mr. Elseworth. It is only said that the Executive may sup- ply vacancies. When the Legislative meeting happens to be near, the power will not be exerted. As there will be but two members from a State vacancies may be of great moment. Mr. Williamson. Senators may resign or not accept. This provision is therefore absolutely necessary. On the question for striking out "vacancies shall be sup- plied by Executives N.H. no. Mas. no. Ct. no. N.J. no. Pa. ay. Md. divd. Va. no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no. [Ayes- ; noes--8; divided- I.] a Article IV, Sect. 6. "The House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment. It shall choose its Speaker and other officers." Sect. ?. "Vacancies in the House of Representatives shall be supplied by writs of election from the executive authority of the State in the repre- sentatlon from which it shall happen."  Article V, Sect. I. "The Senate of the United States shall be chosen by the Legislatures of the several States. Each Legislature shall chuse two members. Vacan- cies ma 7 be supplied by the Executive until the next meeting of the Legislature. Each member shall have one vote."

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