The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787/Volume 3/Appendix A/CCLXXVII
ⅭⅭⅬⅩⅩⅦ. William Findley in the House of Representatives.[1]
When the Constitution of the United States was under consideration, it was well known to those members of the committee [of the whole] who were present at that time, (and some he saw,) that this [President’s power of appointing to office] was an important question. It was thrown into different shapes, until at last it was adopted, as it appeared in the Constitution. This regulation was adopted upon principle, and was not a mere arbitrary thing. The power of appointing to office was brought down by placing a part of it in the Legislature. It was further restrained by prohibiting any member of the Legislature from enjoying, during the period for which he was elected, any office which should have been created, or the emoluments of which should have been increased, during that time. Thus, holding up to view the avenues by which corruption was most likely to enter.
- ↑ Annals of Congress, Fifth Congress, Vol. Ⅰ, p. 905.