Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/542

 536 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Friday MADISON St ember 7 being a majority of two thirds of the existing number of States; and two thirds being a quorum for this business. Mr. Madison 2ded. the motionS0 Mr. Read observed that the States having but one member only in the House of Reps. would be in danger of having no vote at all in the election: the sickness or absence either of the Representative or one of the Senators would have that effect Mr. Madison replied that, if one member of the House of Representatives should be left capable of voting for the State, the states having one Representative only would still be sub- ject to that danger. He thought it an evil that so small a number at any rate should be authorized, to elect. Corrup- tion would be greatly facilitated by it. The mode itself was liable to this further weighty objection that the representa- tives of a Minority of the people, might reverse the choice of a majority of the States and of the people-- He wished some cure for this inconveniency might yet be provided-- Mr Gerry withdrew the first part of his motion; and on the,--... Question on the zd. part viz, "and a concurrence of a majority of all the States shall be necessary to make such choice" to follow the words "a member or members from two thirds of the States"--It was agreed to hem: con: The <section z.)a (see Sepr. 4) requiring that the President should be a natural-born Citizen, &c & have been resident for fourteen years, & be thirty five years of age, was agreed to hem: con: (Section 3.) n (see Sepr. 4). "The vice President shall be ex officio President of the Senate "8 Mr. Gerry opposed this regulation. We might as well put the President himself at the head of the Legislature. The close intimacy that must subsist between the President x0 Crossed out "adding that otherwise three members might possibly elect them being from their several 8rates and a quorum being made up by the representatlve* of two large States". 11 Crossed out: "clause (z)". a Crossed out "Clause (6)". u Upon the Vice=President, see CLVIII (78), CCXXVI, CCXCVII, CCXCIX.

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