CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS. Questn. on alteration of the 4th. clause in 1 Sectn. so as to leave the time place & manner of election to State Legislatures Exclusively—See amt. proposed— . . . . RICHARD HARISON. Opens debate— 2 Modes—leave Genl. Legislature—2 State Legislature 2d lyable to objectn. that Legislatures might to defeat The Const[ructio]n of resolution is that State shall appoint in 1st. instance & only reserves final right in case of neglect—particular circumstances material to State may be important Govt.— Time— Shd. be alike to prevent fluctuation—members—Agrees that declaration sense of consn. proposed by Mr Jones not different from our construction of it.
JONES. that words neglect or refusal includes every possible case whether neglect arises from incapacity or any other cause— ag[ree]s to alter mo. so as to include incapability of Legislature to make provision
SMITH. Mo. founded here principle elective government—That Legislature shd. be chosen by people—which wd not be the case unless the election not only in district but by districts—
DUANE. No right make Laws other states—
SMITH. in reply. This goes all amendments— Legislatures as plan Stands fixed unalterable by Legislatures—Therefore this not being one qualification necessary it must be affixed— Want of this provision defect in our constitution—
DUANE. Connecticut—corporation Masachusets—
LANSING. Qualifications defined all having these eligible— doubt whether State Legislature not confined to general election— Leave Legislature at liberty to do as please proposes a provision that nothing shall prevent their dividing the State into election districts—
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS. Smith Withdraws his motion to accept Lansings argt
LANSING. Members Legislature shd be free from influence Provision agt. acceptance office confined only to new offices— Guard innefectual— Members Legislature may be nominated to any other office—thereby become dependant— No difficulty in finding men willing to serve proved by serving State Legislature— This matter had been discussed in Convention
HAMILTON. Desire this passed over with view to return to it— 8 Sect: power to levy taxes &c.
WILLIAMS. Exme. what included in this power-—2 What power of making Laws for this purpose?
MELANCTON SMITH. Gives general government every sourse revenue—