The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2

by United States. Constitutional Convention; James Madison

The question as moved by M^r Elseworth being divided, on the 1^st part shall y^e Nat^l Executive be appointed by Electors?

Mas. div^d. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no.

On 2^d part shall the Electors be chosen by the State Legislatures?

Mas. ay. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. ay.

The part relating to the ratio in which the States s^d chuse electors was postponed nem. con.

M^r L. Martin moved that the Executive be ineligible a 2^d time.

M^r Williamson, 2^ds the motion. He had no great confidence in Electors to be chosen for the special purpose. They would not be the most respectable citizens; but persons not occupied in the high offices of Gov^t. They would be liable to undue influence, which might the more readily be practised as some of them will probably be in appointment 6 or 8 months before the object of it comes on.

M^r Elseworth supposed any persons might be appointed Electors, excepting, solely, members of the Nat^l Legislature.

On the question Shall he be ineligible a 2^d time?

Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. no.