RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 525 Thursday MADISON September 6 curred with those who thought that the votes would not be concentered, and that the appointment would consequently in the present mode devolve on the Senate. The nomina- tion to offices will give great weight to the President- Here then is a mutual connection & influence, that will perpetuate the President, and aggrandize both him & the Senate. What is to be the remedy? He saw none better than to let the highest number of ballots, whether a majority or not, appoint the President. What was the objection to this? Merely that too small a number might appoint. But as the plan stands, the Senate may take the candidate having the smallest number of votes, and make him President. Mr. Spaight & Mr. Williamson moved to insert "seven" instead of "four" years for the term of the President--* On this motion N.H. ay. Mas. no. Ct. no---N. J. no--- Pa no. Del-- no. Md. no. Va. ay. N. C-- ay. S.C. no. Geo-- no. [Ayes- 3; noes -- 8.] Mr. Spaight & Mr. Williamson then moved to insert "six" instead of "four". On which motion N.H. no. Mss. no. Ct no. N.J. no. Pa. no. Del. no. Md. no. Va. no, N. C-- ay. S. C. ay-- Geo. no [Ayes -- 2; noes -- 9.] On the term "four" all the States were ay, except N. Carolina, no. On the question ((Clause 4. in the Report)) for Appoint- ing President by electors- down to the words,- "entitled in the Legidature" inclusive. "See N. I-I-- ay-- Mas: ay. (Cont: ay),.0 N.J. ay-- Pa. ay. Del-- ay. Md ay, Va ay. N. C. no-- S-- C-- no-- Geo-- ay. [Ayes -- 9; noes -- 2.] (It was moved that the Electors meet at the seat of the Genl. Govt. which passed in the Negative. N. C. only being ay.) 2t
- An ineligibitit� wd. have followed (tho'. it wcl. seem from the vote not in
the opinion of all.) this prolongation of the term. ?0 Taken from Journal. ? Taken from Journal. Madison is in error in copying this here, as he has the ,ame question and vote in his own records a little farther on.
�
