Mr Madison observed that such a mode would destroy the influence of the smaller States associated with larger ones in the same district; as the latter would chuse from within themselves, altho' better men might be found in the former. The election of Senators in Virga where large & small counties were often formed into one district for the purpose, had illustrated this consequence. Local partiality, would often prefer a resident within the County or State, to a candidate of superior merit residing out of it. Less merit also in a resident would be more known throughout his own State.[45]
[ [45] "Mr Butler moved to have the proposition relating to the first branch postponed, in order to take up another,—which was that the second branch of the Legislature consist of blank.
"Mr King objected to the postponement for the reasons which he had offered before."—Pierce's Notes, Id., iii., 319.
Mr Sherman favored an election of one member by each of the State Legislatures.[46]
[ [46] According to Pierce, Mason spoke after Sherman, and Pinckney's motion is given more fully by Pierce than by Madison.
"Mr Mason was of opinion that it would be highly improper to draw the Senate out of the first branch; that it would occasion vacancies which would cost much time, trouble, and expense to have filled up,—besides which it would make the members too dependent on the first branch.
"Mr Chs Pinckney said he meant to propose to divide the Continent into four Divisions, out of which a certain number of persons shd be nominated, and out of that nomination to appoint a senate."—Pierce's Notes, Amer. Hist. Rev., iii., 319.
Mr Pinkney moved to strike out the "nomination by the State Legislatures;" on this question.
[47]Massts no. Cont no. N. Y. no. N. J. no. Pena no. Del. divd Va no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Georg no.
[ [47] This question is omitted in the printed Journal, & the votes applied to the succeeding one, instead of the votes as here stated.—Madison's Note.