Mr Gorham thought it a wrong principle to require more than a majority in any case. In the present case it might prevent for a long time any choice of a President. On the question moved by Mr M. and Mr P.
N. H. ay. Mas. abst. Ct no. N. J. no. Pa no. Del. no. Md ay. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Mr Williamson suggested as better than an eventual choice by the Senate, that this choice should be made by the Legislature, voting by States and not per capita.
Mr Sherman suggested the "House of Reps" as preferable to the Legislature, and moved accordingly,
To strike out the words "The Senate shall immediately choose &c." and insert "The House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President, the members from each State having one vote."
Col: Mason liked the latter mode best as lessening the aristocratic influence of the Senate.
On the motion of Mr Sherman
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Ct ay. N. J. ay. Pa ay. Del. no. Md ay. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Mr Govr Morris suggested the idea of providing that in all cases, the President in office, should not be one of the five Candidates; but be only re-eligible in case a majority of the electors should vote for him. (This was another expedient for rendering the President independent of the Legislative body for his continuance in office.)
Mr Madison remarked that as a majority of members wd make a quorum in the H. of Reps it would follow from the amendment of Mr Sherman giving the election to a majority of States, that the President might be elected by two States only, Virga & Pena which have 18 members, if these States alone should be present.