suffrages of the most enlightened and impartial people of the other states, as well as of their own. In the states where the Senates were chosen in the same manner as the other branches of the legislature, and held their seats for four years, the institution was found to be no check whatever against the instabilities of the other branches. He conceived it to be of great importance that a stable and firm government, organized in the republican form, should be held out to the people. If this be not done, and the people be left to judge of this species of government by the operations of the defective systems under which they now live, it is much to be feared the time is not distant, when, in universal disgust, they will renounce the blessing which they have purchased at so dear a rate, and be ready for any change that may be proposed to them.
On the question for "seven years," as the term for the second branch,—
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, ay, 8; Connecticut, no, 1; Massachusetts, (Mr. Gorham and Mr. King, ay; Mr. Gerry and Mr. Strong, no;) New York, divided.107
Mr. BUTLER and Mr. RUTLEDGE proposed that the members of the second branch should be entitled to no salary or compensation for their services. On the question,—[1]
Connecticut, Delaware, South Carolina, ay, 3; New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, no, 7; Massachusetts, divided.
It was then moved, and agreed, that the clauses respecting the stipends and ineligibility of the second branch be the same as of the first branch,—Connecticut disagreeing to the ineligibility. It was moved and seconded to alter the ninth resolution, so as to read; "that the jurisdiction of the supreme tribunal shall be, to hear and determine, in the dernier resort, all piracies, felonies, &c."
It was moved and seconded to strike out "all piracies and felonies on the high seas," which was agreed to.
It was moved, and agreed, to strike out "all captures from an enemy."
It was moved, and agreed, to strike out "other states," and insert "two distinct states of the Union."
It was moved, and agreed, to postpone the consideration of the ninth resolution, relating to the judiciary.
The committee then rose, and the house adjourned.
In the Committee of the Whole.—The ninth resolution being resumed,—
The latter part of the clause relating to the jurisdiction of the national tribunals was struck out, nem. con., in order to leave full room for their organization.
Mr. RANDOLPH and Mr. MADISON then moved the following
- ↑ It is probable the votes here turned chiefly on the idea that if the salaries were not here provided for, the members would be paid by their respective states.
