Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/531

 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 525 Thursday MADISON September 6 curred with those who thought that the votes would not be concentered, and that the appointment would consequently in the present mode devolve on the Senate. The nomina- tion to offices will give great weight to the President- Here then is a mutual connection & influence, that will perpetuate the President, and aggrandize both him & the Senate. What is to be the remedy? He saw none better than to let the highest number of ballots, whether a majority or not, appoint the President. What was the objection to this? Merely that too small a number might appoint. But as the plan stands, the Senate may take the candidate having the smallest number of votes, and make him President. Mr. Spaight & Mr. Williamson moved to insert "seven" instead of "four" years for the term of the President--* On this motion N.H. ay. Mas. no. Ct. no---N. J. no--- Pa no. Del-- no. Md. no. Va. ay. N. C-- ay. S.C. no. Geo-- no. [Ayes- 3; noes -- 8.] Mr. Spaight & Mr. Williamson then moved to insert "six" instead of "four". On which motion N.H. no. Mss. no. Ct no. N.J. no. Pa. no. Del. no. Md. no. Va. no, N. C-- ay. S. C. ay-- Geo. no [Ayes -- 2; noes -- 9.] On the term "four" all the States were ay, except N. Carolina, no. On the question ((Clause 4. in the Report)) for Appoint- ing President by electors- down to the words,- "entitled in the Legidature" inclusive. "See N. I-I-- ay-- Mas: ay. (Cont: ay),.0 N.J. ay-- Pa. ay. Del-- ay. Md ay, Va ay. N. C. no-- S-- C-- no-- Geo-- ay. [Ayes -- 9; noes -- 2.] (It was moved that the Electors meet at the seat of the Genl. Govt. which passed in the Negative. N. C. only being ay.) 2t the opinion of all.) this prolongation of the term. 0 Taken from Journal.  Taken from Journal. Madison is in error in copying this here, as he has the ,ame question and vote in his own records a little farther on.
 * An ineligibitit� wd. have followed (tho'. it wcl. seem from the vote not in

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