HKB
M^r Rutlidge was opposed to all the modes, except the appointm^t by the Nat^l Legislature. He will be sufficiently independent, if he be not re-eligible.
M^r Gerry preferred the motion of M^r Elseworth to an appointm^t by the Nat^l Legislature, or by the people; tho' not to an app^t by the State Executives. He moved that the electors proposed by M^r E. should be 25 in number, and allotted in the following proportion. to N. H. 1. to Mas. 3. to R. I. 1. to Con^t 2. to N. Y. 2. N. J. 2. P^a 3. Del. 1. M^d 2. V^a 3. N. C. 2. S. C. 2. Geo. 1.
The question as moved by M^r Elseworth being divided, on the 1^{st} part shall y^e Nat^l Executive be appointed by Electors?
Mas. div^d. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no.
On 2^d part shall the Electors be chosen by the State Legislatures?
Mas. ay. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. ay.
The part relating to the ratio in which the States s^d chuse electors was postponed nem. con.
M^r L. Martin moved that the Executive be ineligible a 2^d time.
M^r Williamson, 2^{ds} the motion. He had no great confidence in Electors to be chosen for the special purpose. They would not be the most respectable citizens; but persons not occupied in the high offices of Gov^t. They would be liable to undue influence, which might the more readily be practised as some of them will probably be in appointment 6 or 8 months before the object of it comes on.
M^r Elseworth supposed any persons might be appointed Electors, excepting, solely, members of the Nat^l Legislature.
On the question Shall he be ineligible a 2^d time?
Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. no.
On the question Shall the Executive continue for 7 years? It passed in the negative
Mas. div^d. Con^t ay.[3] N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no. V^a no. N. C. div^d. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
[3] In the printed Journal Con^t, no: N. Jersey ay.--Madison's Note.
M^r King was afraid we sh^d shorten the term too much.
M^r Gov^r Morris was for a short term, in order to avoid impeach^{ts} which w^d be otherwise necessary.
M^r Butler was ag^{st} the frequency of the elections. Geo. & S. C. were too distant to send electors often.
M^r Elseworth was for 6 years. If the elections be too frequent, the Executive will not be firm eno. There must be duties which will make him unpopular for the moment. There will be outs as well as ins. His administration therefore will be attacked and misrepresented.
M^r Williamson was for 6 years. The expence will be considerable & ought not to be unnecessarily repeated. If the Elections are too frequent, the best men will not undertake the service and those of an inferior character will be liable to be corrupted.
On the question for 6 years?
Mas. ay. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Adjourned
FRIDAY JULY 20. IN CONVENTION.
The postponed Ratio of Electors for appointing the Executive; to wit 1 for each State whose inhabitants do not exceed 100.000. &c. being taken up.
M^r Madison observed that this would make in time all or nearly all the States equal. Since there were few that would not in time contain the number of inhabitants intitling them to 3 Electors; that this ratio ought either to be made temporary, or so varied as that it would adjust itself to the growing population of the States.