Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/247

 IECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Thursday MADISON these & many other points would depend on the Legislatures. and might materially affect the appointments. Whenever the State Legislatures had a favorite measure to carry they would take care so to mould their regulations as to.favor the candidates they wished to succeed. Besidest the inequality of the Representation in the Legislatures of particular States, would produce a like inequallt 7 in their representation in the Natl. Legislature s as it was presumable that the Counties having the power in the former case would secure it to them- selves in the latter. What danger could there be in giving a controuling power to the Natl. Legislature? Of whom was it to consist? x. of a Senate to be chosen by the State Legisla- tures. If the latter therefore could be trusted their repre- sentatives could not be dangerous. 2. of Representatives elected by the same people who elect the State Legislatures; surely then if confidence is due to the latter it must be due to the former. It seemed as improper in principle- though it might be less inconvenient in practice, to give to the State Legislatures this great authority over the election of the Re- presentatives of the people in the Genl. Legislature, as it would be to give to the latter a like power over the election of their Representatives in the State Legislatures. Mr. King. If this power be not given to the Natl. Legida- ture their right of judging of the returns of their members may be frustrated. No probability has been suggested of its being abused b 7 them. Altho this scheme of erecting the Genl. Govt. on the authority of the State Legislatures has been fatal to the federal establishment it would seem as if many gentlemen, still foster the dangerous idea. Mr. Govt. Morris- observed that the States might make false returns and then make no provisions for new elections Mr. Sherman did not know but it might be best to retain the clause though he had himself sufficient confidence in the State Legislatures. (The motion of Mr. P. & Mr. R. did not prevail) {The word "respectively" was inserted after the word "State") 0 Taken from Journal.

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