Mr. RUTLEDGE was strenuous against postponing, and complained much of the tediousness of the proceedings.
Mr. ELLSWORTH held the same language. We grow more and more skeptical as we proceed. If we do not decide soon, we shall be unable to come to any decision.
The question for postponement passed in the negative,—Delaware and Maryland only being in the affirmative.
Mr. WILLIAMSON moved to change "two thirds of each House" into "three fourths," as requisite to overrule the dissent of the President. He saw no danger in this, and preferred giving the power to the President alone, to admitting the judges into the business of legislation.
Mr. WILSON seconds the motion; referring to and repeating the ideas of Mr. Carroll.
On this motion for three fourths, instead of two thirds, it passed in the affirmative.
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, ay, 6; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Georgia, no, 4; Pennsylvania, divided.
Mr. MADISON, observing that if the negative of the President was confined to bills, it would be evaded by acts under the form and name of resolutions, votes, &c., proposed that "or resolve" should be added after "bill," in the beginning of section 13, with an exception as to votes of adjournment, &c. After a short and rather confused conversation on the subject, the question was put and rejected, the votes being as follows:—
Massachusetts, Delaware, North Carolina, ay, 3; New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 8.
"Ten days, (Sundays excepted,)" instead of "seven," were allowed to the President for returning bills with his objections,—New Hampshire and Massachusetts only voting against it.
The thirteenth section of article 6, as amended, was then agreed to.210
Adjourned.
Thursday, August 16.
In Convention.—Mr. RANDOLPH having thrown into a new form the motion putting votes, resolutions, &c., on a footing with bills, renewed it as follows:—
"Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary, (except on a question of adjournment, and in the cases hereinafter mentioned,) shall be presented to the President for his revision; and, before the same shall have force, shall be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill."
Mr. SHERMAN thought it unnecessary, except as to votes taking money out of the treasury, which might be provided for in another place.
On the question as moved by Mr. Randolph, it was agreed to.
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, ay, 9; New Jersey, no, 1; Massachusetts, not present.
