Mr. Pinkney called for the Order of the Day—Resolved into a Committee of the whole.
Mr. Wilson moved that the States should be divided into Districts consisting of one or more States and each District to elect a Number of Senators to form the second Branch of the national Legislature—the Senators to be elected and a certain Proportion to be annually dismissed— avowedly on the Plan of the New York Senate.
In the 7th Resolve the words to be chosen by the national Legislature agreed to.
1President Franklin moved that the Consideration of that Part of the 7th Resolve which had in Object the making Provision for a Commpensation for the Service of the executive be postponed for the Purpose of considering a Motion that the Executive should receive no Salary Stipend or Emolument for the Devotion of his Time to the public Services but that its Expences should be paid.
2Mr. Dickenson moved that in the 7th Resolve the words and removeable on Impeachment and Conviction for malconduct or Neglect in the Execution of the Duties of the Office should be inserted after the words ineligible a second Time. Agreed.
Mr. Butler moved to fix the Number of which the Executive should consist. Ent[ere]d on Consideration.
3Mr. Randolph—Sentiments of the People ought to be consulted—they will not bear the Semblance of Monarchy—he prefered three Divisions of the States and one Executive to be taken from each—this Division obvious—it had been marked for other Purposes—If a single Executive Persons remote from him neglected—Local Views would be attributed to him, frequently well founded—often without Reason—this would excite Disatisfaction—he was therefore for an Executive of three.
Butler—Delays, Divisions, and Dissentions arise from an Executive consisting of many—Instance Holland distracted State occasioned by her many Councellors.
Further Consideration postponed.
Mr. C. Pinkney—Notice for Reconsideration of Mode of Election of the first Branch of the Legislature.
Adjourned till Monday next.