N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Con. ay. N. J. ay. Pa ay. Delaware [and] Md ay. Va no. N. C. no. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Col: Mason. As the mode of appointment is now regulated, he could not forbear expressing his opinion that it is utterly inadmissible. He would prefer the Government of Prussia to one which will put all power into the hands of seven or eight men, and fix an Aristocracy worse than absolute monarchy.
The words "and of their giving their votes" being inserted on motion for that purpose, after the words "The Legislature may determine the time of chusing and assembling the Electors."
The House adjourned.
Thursday Sepr 6. 1787. In Convention
Mr King and Mr Gerry moved to insert in the (5) [54] clause of the Report (see Sepr 4) after the words "may be entitled in the Legislature" the words following–"But no person shall be appointed an elector who is a member of the Legislature of the U. S. or who holds any office of profit or trust under the U. S." which passed nem: con:
[ [54] This is a mistake and should be fourth clause. See p. 298.
Mr Gerry proposed as the President was to be elected by the Senate out of the five highest candidates, that if he should not at the end of his term be re-elected by a majority of the Electors, and no other candidate should have a majority, the eventual election should be made by the Legislature. This he said would relieve the President from his particular dependence on the Senate for his continuance in office.
Mr King liked the idea, as calculated to satisfy particular members and promote unanimity & as likely to operate but seldom.