Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/397

 P. ECOKD$ OF TIlE FEDEKAL CONVENTION 9I Trday MADISON .4gst z 3 Mr. Williamson thought it unnecessary, & having been already decided, a revival of the question was a waste of tlme. Mr. Wilson considered this as the key-stone wanted to compleat the wide arch of Government we are raising. The power of self-defence had been urged as necessary for the State Governments-- It was equally necessary for the Gen- eral Government. The firmness of Judges is not of itself sufficient Something further is requisite-- It will be better to prevent the passage of an improper law, than to declare it void when passed. Mr. Rutlidge. If nothing else, this alone would damn and ought to damn the Constltutlon. Will any State ever agree to be bound hand & foot in this manner. It is worse than making mere corporations of them whose bye laws would not be subject to this shackle. Mr Elseworth observed that the power contended for wd. require either that all laws of the State Legislatures should previously to their taking effect be transmitted to the Genl Legislature, or be repealable by the Latter; or that the State Executives should be appointed by the Genl Government, and have a controul over the State laws. If the last was medltated let it be declared. X Mr. Pinkney declared that he thought the State Executives ought to be so appointed with such a controul. & that it would be so provided if another Convention should take place. ' . Mr Governr. Morris did not see the utility or practicability of the proposition of Mr. Pinkney, but wished it to be referred to the consideration of a Committee. Mr Langdon was in favor of the proposition. He con- sidered it as resolvable into the question whether the extent of the National Constitution was to be judged of by the Genl or the State Governments. On the question for commitment, (it passed in the negative.) N--H. ay. Masts: no. Cont. no N. [. no. Pa. aY' 'Del: ay. Md. ay. Va. ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no. [Aye- 5; noes -- 6.] u See Appendix A, CXXVII.  See Appendix A CXXXVH.

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