The Question taken on the Resolution 15, to wit, referring the new system to the people of the States for ratification it passed in the affirmative Massts ay. Cont no. N. Y. no. N. J. no. Pa[79] ay. Del. divd. Md divd. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
[ [79] Pennsylvania omitted in the printed Journal. The vote is there entered as of June 11th.—Madison's Note.
Mr Sherman & Mr Elseworth moved to fill the blank left in the 4th Resolution for the periods of electing the members of the first branch with the words, "every year;" Mr. Sherman observing that he did it in order to bring on some question.
Mr Rutlidge proposed "every two years."
Mr Jennifer[80] propd, "every three years," observing that the too great frequency of elections rendered the people indifferent to them, and made the best men unwilling to engage in so precarious a service.
[ [80] "Mr Jenifer is a Gentleman of fortune in Maryland;—he is always in good humour, and never fails to make his company pleased with him. He sits silent in the Senate, and seems to be conscious that he is no politician. From his long continuance in single life, no doubt but he has made the vow of celibacy. He speaks warmly of the Ladies notwithstanding. Mr Jenifer is about 55 years of Age, and once served as Aid de Camp to Major Genl Lee."—Pierce's Notes, Am. Hist. Rev., iii., 330.
Mr Madison seconded the motion for three years. Instability is one of the great vices of our republics, to be remedied. Three years will be necessary, in a Government so extensive, for members to form any knowledge of the various interests of the States to which they do not belong, and of which they can know but little from the situation and affairs of their own. One year will be almost consumed in preparing for and travelling to & from the seat of national business.
Mr Gerry. The people of New England will never give up the point of annual elections, they know of the transition made in England from triennial to septennial elections, and will consider such an innovation here as the prelude to a like usurpation. He considered annual elections as the only defence of the people agst tyranny. He was as much agst a triennial House as agst a hereditary Executive.
Mr Madison, observed that if the opinions of the people were to be our guide, it wd be difficult to say what course we ought to take. No member of the Convention could say what the opinions of his Constituents were at this time; much less could he say what they would think if possessed of the information & lights possessed by the members here; & still less what would be their way of thinking 6 or 12 months hence. We ought to consider what was right & necessary in itself for the attainment of a proper Governmt. A plan adjusted to this idea will recommend itself—The respectability of this convention will give weight to their recommendation of it. Experience will be constantly urging the adoption of it, and all the most enlightened & respectable citizens will be its advocates. Should we fall short of the necessary & proper point, this influential class of Citizens, will be turned against the plan, and little support in opposition to them can be gained to it from the unreflecting multitude.
Mr Gerry repeated his opinion that it was necessary to consider what the people would approve. This had been the policy of all Legislators. If the reasoning of Mr. Madison were just, and we supposed a limited Monarchy the best form in itself, we ought to recommend it, tho' the genius of the people was decidedly adverse to it, and having no hereditary distinctions among us, we were destitute of the essential materials for such an innovation.