Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/46

  RECOP. DS OF THE FEDEF. AL COlVENTION l/l'ednesday MADISON f ly 8 depend in some degree on the mode of trying impeachments, of the Executive. If the Judges were to form a tribunal for that purpose, they surely ought not to be appointed by the Executive. There were insuperable objections besides agst. referring the appointment to the Executive. He mentioned as one, that as the seat of Govt. must be in some one State, and the Executive would remain in office for a considerable time, for 4, 5, or 6 years at least he would insensibly form local & personal attachments within the particular State that would deprive equal merit elsewhere, of an equal chance of promotion. Mr. Ghorum. As the Executive will be responsible in point of character at least, for a judicious and faithful dis- charge of his trust, he will be careful to look through all the States for proper characters.- The Senators will be as likely to form their attachments at the seat of Govt where they reside, as the Executive. If they can not get the man of the particular State to which they may respectively belong, they will be indifferent to the rest. Public bodies feel no personal responsibly and give full play to intrigue & cabal. Rh. Island is a full illustration of the insensibility to character produced by a participation of numbers, in dishonorable measures, and of the length to which a public body may carry wickedness & cabal. Mr. Govt. Morris supposed it would be improper for an impeachmt. of the Executive to be tried before the Judges. The latter would in such case be drawn into intrigues with the Legislature and an impartial trial would be frustrated. As they wd. be much about the seat of Govt they might even be previously consulted & arrangements might be made for a prosecution of the Executive. He thought therefore that no argument could be drawn from the probability of such a plan of impeachments agst. the motion before the House. Mr. M(adison), suggested that the Judges might be ap- pointed by the Executives with the concurrence of ( at least) 6 of the 2d. branch. This would unite the advantage of respon- Madison originally recorded this as

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