Docr Franklin. A Gentleman from S. C., (Mr Butler) a day or two ago called our attention to the case of the U. Netherlands. He wished the gentleman had been a little fuller, and had gone back to the original of that Govt. The people being under great obligations to the Prince of Orange whose wisdom and bravery had saved them, chose him for the Stadtholder. He did very well. Inconveniences however were felt from his powers; which growing more & more oppressive, they were at length set aside. Still however there was a party for the P. of Orange, which descended to his son who excited insurrections, spilt a great deal of blood, murdered the de Witts, and got the powers revested in the Stadtholder. Afterwards another Prince had power to excite insurrections & make the Stadtholdership hereditary. And the present Stadthder is ready to wade thro' a bloody civil war to the establishment of a monarchy. Col. Mason had mentioned the circumstance of appointing officers. He knew how that point would be managed. No new appointment would be suffered as heretofore in Pensa unless it be referred to the Executive; so that all profitable offices will be at his disposal. The first man put at the helm will be a good one. No body knows what sort may come afterwards. The Executive will be always increasing here, as elsewhere, till it ends in a Monarchy.
On the question for striking out so as to give Executive an absolute negative,—Massts no. Cont no. N. Y. no. Pa no. Del. no. Md no. Va no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Georga no.
Mr Butler moved that the Resoln be altered so as to read—"Resolved that the National Executive have a power to suspend any Legislative act for the term of ——."
Doctr Franklin seconds the motion.
Mr Gerry observed that a power of suspending might do all the mischief dreaded from the negative of useful laws; without answering the salutary purpose of checking unjust or unwise ones.
On question "for giving this suspending power" all the States, to wit Massts Cont N. Y. Pa Del. Maryd Virga N. C. S. C. Georgia, were No.
On a question for enabling two thirds of each branch of the Legislature to overrule the revisionary check, it passed in the affirmative sub silentio; and was inserted in the blank of Mr Gerry's motion.
On the question on Mr Gerry's motion which gave the Executive alone without the Judiciary the revisionary controul on the laws unless overruled by 2/3 of each branch; Massts ay. Cont no. N. Y. ay. Pa ay. Del. ay. Maryd no. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
It was moved by Mr Wilson 2ded by Mr Madison—that the following amendment be made to the last resolution—after the words "National Ex." to add "& a convenient number of the National Judiciary."[63]
[ [63] Before the motion, according to King's notes: