Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/519

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RECORD8 OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 513 Wedne.?day MADISON September $ Senate's deciding among the five highest candidates, the Large States would have in fact the nomination of these can- didates On ? the motion of Col: Mason N. It. no--Mas. no. Ct. no. N.J. no. Pa. no. Del. no. Md. ay.* Va. no-- N. C. ay. S-- C. no. Geo. no [Ayes -- z; noes -- 9-] Mr. Wilson moved to strike out "Senate" and insert the word "Legislature" Mr Madison considered it as a primary object to render an eventual resort to any part of the Legislature improbable. He was apprehensive that the proposed alteration would turn the attention of the large States too much to the appoint- ment of candidates, instead of aiming at an effectual appoint- ment of the officer, as the large States would predominate in the Legislature which would have the final choice out of the Candidates. Whereas if the Senate in which the small States predominate should have the final choice, the concerted effort of the large States would be to make the appointment in the first instance conclusive. ? Mr Randolph. We have in some revolutions of this plan made a bold stroke for Monarchy. We are now doing the same for an aristocracy. He dwelt on the tendency of such an influence in the Senate over the election of the President in addition to its other powers, to convert that body into a real & dangerous Aristocracy-- Mr Dickinson was in favor of giving the eventual election to the Legislature, instead o{ the Senate -- It was too much influence to be superadded to that body -- On the question moved by Mr Wilson N. H-- divd. Mas. no-- Ct no-- N-- J-- no. Pa. ay. Del-- no. Md. no. Va. ay-- N-- C. no-- S.C. ay. Geo. no. [Ayes -- 3; noes -- 7; divided -- I.]

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? The lines preceding were crossed out: "Mr. Wilson remarked that striking the words out would have the effect of inducing the large States to throw away the vote to be given to a person out of the State in order to increase the chances of its own Citizen."