Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/256

 SO RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Friday MADISON ,'lugust o Republican Govt. and ought to be fixed by the Constitution. If the Legislature could regulate those of either, it can by de- grees subvert the Constitution. A Republic may be converted into an aristocracy or oligarchy as well by limiting the number capable of being elected, as the number authorised to elect. In all cases where the representatives of the people will have a per- sonal interest distinct from that of their Constituents, there was the same reason for being jealous of them, as there was for re- lying on them with full confidence, when they had a common interest. This was one of the former cases. It was as im- proper as to allow them to fix their own wages, or their own privileges. It was a power also, which might be made subser- vient to the views of one faction agst. another. Qualifications founded on artificial distinctions may be devised, 7 by the stronger in order to keep out partizans of (a weaker) 8 faction. Mr. Elseworth, admitted that the power was not unexcep- tionable; but he could not view it as dangerous. Such a power with regard to the electors would be dangerous because it would be much more liable to abuse. Mr. Govr. Morris moved to strike out 'with regard to property" in order to leave the Legislature entirely at large. Mr. Williamson. This could surely never be admitted. Should a majority of the Legislature be composed of any par- ticular description of men, of lawyers for example, which is no improbable supposition, the future elections might be secured to their own body. Mr. (Madison) observed that the British PurlJurat. pos- sessed the power of regulating the qualifications both of the electors, and the elected; and the abuse they had made of it was a lesson worthy of our attention. They had made the changes in both cases subservient to their own views, or to the views of political or Religious parties. 'Question on the motion to strike out with regard to property N.H. no. Mas. no. Ct. ay. N.J. ay. Pa. ay. Del. no.* Md. no. Va. no. N. C. no.' S.C. no. Geo- ay. [Ayes--4; noes--7.] Crossed out "which may exclude obnoxious",  Crossed otl; 'tlle opposite",
 * (In the printed Journal Delaware did not vote.}

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