Elbridge Gerry (MA) feared corruption if the National Legislature appointed the executive. He leaned toward election by the state legislatures either directly or by selecting nominees for electors to elect.
Hugh Williamson (NC) saw no advantage to electors other than the State Legislatures standing between the people and the Executive.
On Mr. Wilson’s motion to set up districts in which the people elect electors, it failed 7-2.
The convention agreed to appointment of the Executive by the first branch of the Legislature for a term of seven years by an 8-2 vote.
Dr. Benjamin Franklin (PA) was too feeble to stand and speak at length. (His personal infirmities would be a plus for history; James Wilson (PA) read his prepared speech to the convention. Madison saved the speech. It is an incredible pity we do not have a transcript of the entire convention.)
“I think I see inconveniences in the appointment of salaries; I see none in refusing them, but on the contrary, great advantages.” Franklin feared federal offices will become enticing for the salaries they offer. Our Framers were familiar with the British corruption of saleable offices and wished to prevent their repetition. (Are not the richest counties in the nation adjacent to Washington, DC?)
“Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power, and the love of money.”
“Place before the eyes of such men, a post of honor that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it.”
“Besides these evils, Sir, tho' we may set out in the beginning with moderate salaries, we shall find that such will not be of long continuance. Reasons will never be wanting for proposed augmentations. And there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them.”
“The more the people are discontented with the oppression of taxes; the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among his partizans and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at pleasure.”
“It will be said, that we don't propose to establish Kings. I know it. But there is a natural inclination in mankind to Kingly Government. It sometimes relieves them from Aristocratic domination. They had rather have one tyrant than five hundred. It gives more of the appearance of equality among Citizens, and that they like.”
“To bring the matter nearer home, have we not seen, the great and most important of our offices, that of General of our armies executed for eight years together without the smallest salary, by a Patriot whom I will not now offend by any other praise;” (Meaning, George Washington did not accept a dime in salary for leading his Continental Army to victory. He would likewise accept no salary for two terms as President. He considered such service his duty, and one does not accept remuneration for doing one’s duty.)
Franklin did not believe that salaries are necessary to attract patriots to government.
Unfortunately, James Madison (VA) disrespected Franklin.
John Dickinson (DE) proposed the Executive be removable by the National Legislature on request by a majority of the states.
(John Dickinson: Born 1732 in MD, moved to Dover DE in 1740. Tutored at home and studied law in Britain at the Inns of the Court in 1750s. Practiced law in Philadelphia. Entered PA Legislature. Attended Stamp Act Congress 1765, First Continental Congress 1774, Annapolis Convention 1786.)
(Famous since publication of “Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania” in 1767 against the Townshend duties. In this work he drew a fine line between proper taxation in support of regulating trade, and improper British power to tax in search of revenue. Supported reconciliation with Britain until the final break, in part because he thought a union of thirteen sovereign nations inherently unstable. He lead the committee that provided the first draft of the Articles of Confederation in June, 1776. Despite voting against the Declaration of Independence, he immediately marched off with the militia.)
(He was a DE delegate to Congress 1776-1777, 1779-1780, served as President of both DE 1781-1782, and PA 1782-1785. In 1785 he retired to Dover.)
(By 1787 he was among the strongest advocates for a National Government. In an act that perhaps more than any other promoted the prosperity of the US, he and Judge George Read shepherded a bill through the DE Assembly that tied their hands, prevented the delegates from considering anything other equal State representation. This would result in two State legislature appointed Senators per State, the elimination of which via the 17th Amendment is regretted daily at FreeRepublic.)
Gunning Bedford (DE) seconded Mr. Dickinson.
Roger Sherman (CN) would have the National Legislature alone responsible for Executive removal.
George Mason (VA) warned of Executive dependency if he was both elected by and impeachable by the National Legislature. However, he unequivocally supported some means of Executive disposal.
James Madison (VA) and James Wilson (PA) reflected their distrust of states when they contended a majority of states could easily mean a minority of people represented. They thought State participation in impeachment was bad policy.
(At times, Madison appears to take better notes than at others. I am thankful he kept careful notes of the speech by John Dickinson. Dickinson illustrates the wisdom the delegates brought to the convention. He discusses monarchies v. republics, separation of powers, the inherent stability of a legislature divided into two, and distinct state governments. Ancient republics fared poorly because they were badly constituted. The convention had the opportunity and duty to avoid similar mistakes. Finally, he proposed the solution to a problem that would occupy the convention for weeks, the representational basis of the House and Senate.)
The motion to strike, "on request by a majority of the Legislatures of the individual States,” was rejected.
All states except DE rejected Mr. Dickinson’s motion that the “Executive be removable by the National Legislature on request by a majority of the states.”
A vote was taken next to limit the President to one term. It passed 7-2-1.
Hugh Williamson (NC) motioned and William Davy seconded to add, “And to be removable on impeachment & conviction of mal-practice or neglect of duty,” which was agreed to.
John Rutlidge (SC) and Charles Pinckney (SC) motioned for one Executive magistrate.
Governor Edmund Randolph of Virginia defended multiple executives. A single Executive smacked of monarchy, the people were against it, a unity was not necessary to the object, remote parts of the country would not be on an equal footing to supply a single Executive. What was certain was a nod toward minimizing sectionalism and mutual suspicion of the states. He proposed three executives selected from different portions of the US.
Mr. Butler argued for a single Executive. Multiple execs would complicate administration as they vied with each other.
The motion as to the number of supreme Executives was postponed
where’s the ping?
Franklin’s speech had some beauties in it!!