Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/58

 S4 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Thursday MADISON July x9 These he presumes will exercise their functions in subordina- tion to the Executive, and will be amenable by impeachment to the public Justice. Without these ministers the Executive can do nothing of consequence. He suggested a biennial election of the Executive at the time of electing the Ist. branch, and the Executive to hold over, so as to prevent any inter- regnum in the Administration. An election by the people at large throughout so great an extent of country could not be influenced, by those little combinations and those momentary lies which often decide popular elections within a narrow sphere. It will probably, be objected that the election will be influ- enced by the members of the Legislature; particularly of the xst. branch, and that it will be nearly the same thing with an election by the Legislature itself. It could not be denied that such an influence would exist. But it might be answered that as the Legislature or the candidates for it would be divided, the enmity of one part would counteract the friend- ship of another; that if the administration of the Executive were good, it would be unpopular to oppose his re-election, if bad it ought to be opposed & a reappointmt. prevented; and lastly that in every view this indirect dependence on the favor of the Legislature could not be so mischievous as a direct dependence for his appointment. He saw no alternative for making the Executive independent of the Legislature but either to give him his office for life, or make him eligible by the people.--Again, it might be objected that two years would be too short a duration. But he believes that as long as he should behave himself well, he would be continued in his place. The extent of the Country would secure his re-election agst the factions & discontents of particular States. It deserved consideration also that such an ingredient in the plan would render it extremely palatable to the people. These were the general ideas which occurred to him on the subject, and which led him to wish & move that the (whole constitu- tion of the Executive) might undergo reconsideration. Mr. Randolph urged the motion of Mr. L. Martin for restor- ing the words making the Executive ineligible a 2d. time. If he ought to be independent, he should not be left under a

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