Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/497

 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Monday MADISON September the members for his purposes in the Legislature. Whereas the appointment of the members deprives him of such an advantage. Mr. Gerry. thought the eligibility of members would have the effect of opening batteries agst. good offacers, in order to drix;e them out & make way for members of the Legislature. Mr Gorham was in favor of the amendment. Without it we go further than has been done in any of the States, or indeed any other Country, The experience of the State Governments where there was no such ineligibility, proved that it was not necessary; on the contrary that the eligibility was among the inducements for fit men to enter into the Legislative service Mr. Randolph was inflexibly fixed against inviting men into the Legislature by the prospect of being appointed to offices. Mr. Baldwin remarked that the example of the States was not applicable. The Legislatures there are so numerous that an exclusion of their members would not leave proper men for offices. The case would be otherwise in the General Government. Col: Mason. Instead of excluding merit, the ineligibility will keep out corruption, by excluding office-hunters. Mr. Wilson considered the exclusion of members of the Legislature as increasing the influence of the Executive as observed by Mr Govr Morris at the same time that it would diminish, the general energy of the Government. He said that the legal disqualification for office would be odious to those who did not wish for office, but did not wish either to be marked by so degrading a distinction- Mr Pinkney. The first Legislature will be composed of the ablest men to be found. The States will select such to put the Government into operation. Should the Report of the Committee or even the amendment be agreed to The great offices, even those of the Judiciary Deparment which are to continue for life, must be filled whilst those most capable of filling them will be under a disqualification On the question on Mr. King's motion

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