Newspaper Report of the Massachusetts Ratification Convention Proceedings (January 15, 1788)

Independent Chronicle, 17 January

It was objected by some gentlemen, in the course of the debates, on Tuesday last, that the lengthening of the time for setting in Congress was rendered more ineligible from the want of a provision for a rotation in office, and for recalling the Delegates. In case of misbehaviour it is much better to drop them by silent neglect, than to turn them out by impeachment. The necessary information of a Representative is to be obtained at home as well as at Congress. It is at home he is to verse himself in the interests and feelings of his particular constituents, and if a long time is necessary to give him an understanding foreign affairs, the opportunity may be afforded him by re-elections, which have taken place, in almost every instance with respect to the present and late Delegates of Massachusetts. As to the saving of expense, the observation cannot apply to this State, as the elections are annual, and no additional trouble would be created from chusing Representatives to Congress, at the same time with those of the Commonwealth. This too was applicable to most, if not to all of the States, except South Carolina, in some of which the elections were even semi-annual.