It is believed that George Bryan and James Cannon were the authors of this unusual provision. Both were ardent patriots.
The Constitution fairly reflected the political opinions of those opposed to the English Parliament.
The office of Governor was swept away, and the Constitution of 1776 provided that the Supreme Executive Council should choose one of its number President, whose duties were those of the Chief Executive.
Every effort to secure a revision of the Constitution proved unavailing and public opinion waited impatiently for the first seven years to pass, in the hopes that a revision would then be possible. If the enemies of the Constitution were numerous and bitter, it had also many enthusiastic supporters.
The Council of Censors assembled, as the Constitution required, on November 13, 1783, and continuing in session nearly a year, adjourned finally September 25, 1784. Frederick A. Muhlenberg was elected President.
Various amendments were discussed and strong difference of opinion manifested, but in the address of the freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at the close of their labors, they recommended a continuance of the frame of government.
They say, “if with heart and hand united, we will all combine to support the Constitution, and apply its injunction to the best use of society, we shall find it a source of the richest blessings. We would earnestly recommend this to you. Give it a fair and honest trial; and if after all, at the end of another seven years, it shall be found necessary or proper to introduce any changes, they may then be brought in, and established upon a full conviction of their usefulness, with harmony and good temper, without noise, tumult, or violence.”
A majority of the members favored amending the Constitution, so that the Legislature should consist of a house of representatives of 100 members and a legislative council of twenty-nine members; that the executive power be vested in a Governor with a veto power; that the Judges should be appointed by the Governor to serve during good behavior, with fixed salaries and that the Council of Censors should be abolished.
Twelve Councilors favored and nine opposed these amendments, a two-thirds vote could not be had. The majority issued an appeal, as did the minority. Then followed a pamphlet war on the action of the convention, lasting all summer. It was not, however, especially bitter.
On resuming its sessions the Council then assumed its rights under the Constitution, but could arrive at no definite conclusion, and finally resolved “that there does not appear to this Council an absolute necessity to call a convention to alter or explain or amend the Constitution.” This report was adopted by a vote of 14 to 8, a marked change in the opinion of some of the censors since their previous action.