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Show 68 TilE FEDERATJ CONVENT rON. to the liberlies of the people, wuen in office during life, than for seven years. It may be saiu this constitutes an elective monarchy. Pray what is a monarch~ :Mn.y n.ot the g~vcrn.ors of tho respective States be con. idcrcd m that hgh t ? But by making the executive subject to impeachment, the term rnona'l·ch cannot apply. rrhcse elective monarchs have produced tumults in Rome, aud are equally da.n~erous to peace in Poland ; but this ca11not apply to the m o~e in which I propose the election. Let electors be appointed in each of the States, to elect the leg-i .. laturc, to cou ist of two brunches; ~wd I wou lJ gi vc them the power of passing all laws, without exception. The 11, cmbly to l>e elected for three ycars1 by the people, in di cltricts ; the senate to be elected by electors, to be chosen for that purpo .. e by the people, anu to rcmn.in in office duri11g life. The rxecutive to have the power of negativing all laws ; to make wn,r or peace, wi Lh the ad vice of the en ate ; to make treaties, with their auvicc; but t,p hn.ve the sole directions in all military operations, and to send aml>assaclon:j, and appoint all military officers, aTH1 to parclt)n all o[ eml ers, trca. on excepted, nnless l,y the advice of the senate. On his death, or removal, the president of the senate to officiate, with the same powers, until another is elected. Supreme judicial officers to be appointed by the executive and tho senate. The legislature to appoint courts in each state, so as to make the Slate governm ent unnecessary to it. All Slate laws to be ah olutcly void, which contravene the general la.ws. An officer appointed in each State to have a negative on all laws. All the militia, and the ap· pointment of officers, to bo under the nn.tionul govern-ment. I confc s thnt tl1is plnn, nncl that from Virginia, are very remote from the it1ea of the people; pcrhn.ps the Jcr· sry plan is nrnrcst their cxp<'ctntion. Tint thr people ure TilE FEDEaAL CO~V EN'J'lO~. 69 gradually ripening in their opinions of government--they begin to be tired of an ex ·ess or democracy-and what even is the Virginia plan, but porlc still, with a little chrmqe of Ill e sauce ~ The following is J\1r. Jin.milton's plan : "1. 'rhe supreme legislative power of the United Slates of America to be vested in two different bodies of men ; the one to be callcu the a se mbly, the other the senate; who, together, shall form the legislature of tho Unitcu States, with power to pass all laws whatsoever, subject to the negative hcrenfler mentioned. "2. The assembly to consist of persons elected by the people, to serve for three years. "3. The senate to consi, t of persons elected to servo dul'ing good behavior; their election to be made Ly eleclOJ'S chosen for that putposc by the people. In order to th iH, the states to· be d i v idcd in to election districts. On the death, removal, or resig-nation of any senator, his place to be filled out of the di strict !'rom which he came. 11 4. The supreme cxecu t i ve authority of the United States to be vc. ted in a governor, to be clectcu to servo during good behavior ; the election to be made by electors chosen by the people in the election districts aforesaid. 'l'hc authorities and fun ctions of the executive to be as follows: To have a negative on all laws about to bo passed, and lhe execution of all la\VS passed ; to have the direction of war when authorized or begun ; to have, with the advice and approbation of the senate, the power of making nil treaties; to ha.ve the sole appointment of the heads or chief officet·s of the departments of finance, wnr, a.nd foreign affair ; to have the nomination of all other officers, (amlms8adors to foreign nations incluJed,) subject to the approbation or rejection of lhc senate ; to have the power of pardoning all offenses except treason, which he shall not purdon without the approbation of the senate. |
