Mr Ghorum urged the amendment as of great importance. The Senate will first acquire the habit of preparing money bills, and then the practice will grow into an exclusive right of preparing them.
Mr Governr Morris opposed it as unnecessary and inconvenient.
Mr Williamson, some think this restriction on the Senate essential to liberty, others think it of no importance. Why should not the former be indulged. He was for an efficient and stable Govt: but many would not strengthen the Senate if not restricted in the case of money bills. The friends of the Senate would therefore lose more than they would gain by refusing to gratify the other side. He moved to postpone the subject till the powers of the Senate should be gone over.
Mr Rutlidge 2ds the motion.
Mr Mercer should hereafter be agst returning to a reconsideration of this section. He contended (alluding to Mr Mason's observations) that the Senate ought not to have the power of treaties. This power belonged to the Executive department; adding that Treaties would not be final so as to alter the laws of the land, till ratified by legislative authority. This was the case of Treaties in Great Britain; particularly the late Treaty of Com̃erce with France.
Col. Mason, did not say that a Treaty would repeal a law; but that the Senate by means of treaty might alienate territory &c., without legislative sanction. The cessions of the British Islands in W. Indies by Treaty alone were an example. If Spain should possess herself of Georgia therefore the Senate might by treaty dismember the Union. He wished the motion to be decided now, that the friends of it might know how to conduct themselves.
On the question for postponing Sect: 12. it passed in the affirmative.
N. H. ay. Mass. ay. Ct no. N. J. no. Pena no. Del: no. Maryd no. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Mr Madison moved that all acts before they become laws should be submitted both to the Executive and supreme Judiciary Departments, that if either of these should object 2/3 of each House, if both should object, 3/4 of each House, should be necessary to overrule the objections and give to the acts the force of law. [29]
[ [29] Madison's Note says: "See the motion at large in the Journal of this date, page 253, and insert it here." The Journal gives it as follows: