Mr Randolph was inflexibly fixed against inviting men into the Legislature by the prospect of being appointed to offices.
Mr Baldwin remarked that the example of the States was not applicable. The Legislatures there are so numerous that an exclusion of their members would not leave proper men for offices. The case would be otherwise in the General Government.
Col: Mason. Instead of excluding merit, the ineligibility will keep out corruption, by excluding office-hunters.
Mr Wilson considered the exclusion of members of the Legislature as increasing the influence of the Executive as observed by Mr Govr Morris at the same time that it would diminish, the general energy of the Government. He said that the legal disqualification for office would be odious to those who did not wish for office, but did not wish either to be marked by so degrading a distinction.
Mr Pinkney. The first Legislature will be composed of the ablest men to be found. The States will select such to put the Government into operation. Should the Report of the Committee or even the amendment be agreed to, The great offices, even those of the Judiciary Department which are to continue for life, must be filled while those most capable of filling them will be under a disqualification.
On the question on Mr King's motion
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Ct no. N. J. no. Pa ay. Md no. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. no.
The amendment being thus lost by the equal division of the States, Mr Williamson moved to insert the words "created or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased" before the word "during" in the Report of the Committee.
Mr King 2ded the motion, & on the question