Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/303

 RECORDS OF TH]g FEDERAL CONVENTION 297 Wednesday MADISON August Mr. Strong move(d} 7 to amend (the article so as to read -- "Each House shall possess the right of originating all bills, except bills for raising money for the purposes of revenue, or for appropriating the same and for fixing the salaries of the officers of the Govt. which shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as in other cases")8 Col. Mason. zds. the motion. He was extremely earnest to take this power from the Senate, who he said could already sell the whole Country by means of Treaties. Mr Ghorum urged the amendment as of great importance. The Senate will first acquire the habit of preparing money bills, and then the practice will grow into an exclusive right of preparing them. Mr. Gouvernr. Morris opposed it as unnecessary and inconvenient. Mr. Williamson- some think this restriction on the Senate essential to liberty-- others think it of no importance. Why should not the former be indulged. he was for an efficient and stable Govt: but many would not strengthen the Senate if not restricted in the case of money bills. The friends of the Senate would therefore lose more than they would gain by refusing ,to gratify the other side. He moved to postpone the subject till the powers of the Senate should be gone over. Mr. Rutlidge 2ds. the motion. Mr. Mercer should hereafter be agst. returning to a recon- slderation of this section. He contended, (alluding to Mr. Mason's observations) that the Senate ought not to have the power of treaties. This power belonged to the Executive department; adding that Treaties would not be final so as to alter the laws of the land, till ratified by legislative authority. This was the case of Treaties in Great Britain; particularly the late Treaty of Commerce with France. Col. Mason. did not say that a Treaty would repeal a law; but that the Senate by means of treaty might alienate terri- tory &c. without legislative sanction. The cessions of the Brit~ The Journal reports a previous motion, see above note Revised from Journal.

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