Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/61

 RECOKDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 57 Thursday MADISON July x 9 some Citizen whose merits had rendered him an object of general attention & esteem. There was one difficulty how- ever of a serious nature attending an immediate choice by the people. The right of suffrage was much more diffusive in the Northern than 9 the Southern States; and the latter could have no influence in the election on the score of the Negroes. The substitution of electors obviated this difficult 7 and seemed on the whole to be liable to the fewest objections. Mr. Gerry. If the Executive is to be be elected by the Legislature he certainly ought not to be re-eligible. This would make him absolutely dependent. He was agst. a popu- lar election. The people are uninformed, and would be misled by a few designing men. lie urged the expediency of an ap- pointment of the Executive by Electors to be chosen by the State Executives. The people of the States will then choose the ISt. branch: The legislatures of the States the 2nd. branch of the National Legislature, and the Executives of the States, the National Executive- This he thought would form a strong attachhr. in the States to the National System. The popular mode of electing the chief Magistrate would certainly be the worst of all. If he should be so elected & should do his duty, he will be turned out for it like Govr Bowdoin in Massts & President Sullivan in N. Hamshire. On the question on Mr Govr. Morris motion to reconsider generally the Constitution of the Executive- Mas. a�. Ct. ay. N.J. ay. & all the others ay. Mr. Elseworth moved to strike out the appointrot. by the Natl. Legislature, and insert "to be chosen by electors ap- pointed by the Legislatures of the States in the following ratio; towit--one for each State not exceeding 2oo,ooo a0 inhabts. two for each above yt. number & not exceeding 3oo,ooo. and, three for each State exceeding 300,00o.- Mr. Broome 2ded. the motion Mr Rutlldge was opposed to all the modes except the ap- pointmt. by the Natl. Legislature. He will be sufficiently independent, if he be not re-eligible Crossed out "Eastern &". �al gives this ooooo.

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