Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/259

 1%ECOKDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Friday MADISON Legislature at liberty to increase them or not. He thought the future increase of members would render a majority of the whole extremely cumbersome. Mr. Mercer agreed to substitute Mr. Kings motion in place of Mr. Morris's. Mr. Elseworth was opposed to it. It would be a pleasing ground of confidence to the people that no law or burden could be imposed on them, by a few men. He reminded the movers that the Constitution proposed to give such a dis- cretion with regard to the number of Representatives that a very inconvenient number was not to be apprehended. The inconveniency of secessions may be guarded agst by giving to each House an authority to require the attendance of absent members. Mr. Wilson concurred in the sentiments of Mr. Elseworth. Mr. Gerry seemed to think that some further precautions than merely fixing the quorum might be necessary. He observed that as 17 wd. be a majority of a quorum of 33, and 8 of I4, questions might by possibility be carried in the H. of Reps. by 2 large 8tates and in the Senate by the same States with the aid of two small ones.--He proposed that the num- ber for a quorum in the H. of Reps. should not exceed 5 � (nor be less than 33>. leaving the intermediate discretion to the Legislature. Mr. King. as the quorum could not be altered witht. the concurrence of the President by less than ] of each House, he thought there could be no danger in trusting the Legislature. Mr Carrol this will be no security agst. a continuance of the quorums at 33 & I4' when they ought to be increased. On question on Mr. Kings motion ("that not less than 33 in the H. of Reps. nor less than 4 in the Senate shd. consti- tute a Quorum, which may be increased by a law, on additions of members in either House.>  N.H. no. Mas. ay. Ct. no. N.J. no. Pa. no. Del. ay. Md. no. Va. no. N. C. no. S.C. no. Geo. no. [Ayes- 2; noes--9.] Mr. Randolph & Mr.-- moved to add to the Taken from Jor*ul. In the MS. marked by a cross (X), see above, note

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