Jenks' Portland gazette. Maine advertiser. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1802-1803, 1803-02-21

When this article WAS Under ccnGder-
alton 10 the National Convention, il was
obferyed, that every mode Of ele6tiag
the chief MagiltrAte of powerful IA
ton, hitherto adopted, is liable TO OBJ
ieaion. The inltances were violence
has been uf-d and murders committed,
are numerous. Thofe in which arti
fee and fraud have fucceedei, againlt
the gener al Win and will, are innumer-
able. And hence it i inferred, that the
mode lealt favorable 70 intrigue and
corruption. thar in which the unbiaiied
voice of the people will be mott attend
ed to, and that which is leaG likely 10
terminate in violence and uiurparion,
ought to be adopted To impress
conviction on this fubjea, the cafe of
Poland was not unaptly) cited. Great
and ambitious princes took part in the
election of a Polilh King money,
threats and force were employed. Vic
lence, bloodhed and opprelion enGued.
And now that country IS plrcelled OUT
among the neighboring gotentates-
one Of whom was but Perty prince
two centuries ago.
The evils which have been felt il the
prefent mode of election were pointed
out TO the Convention, but after due ad-
vilement the other mode aPpearet
more ezcsptionable- Indeed, if the
p:elent be changed, it might be better
10 abollh the Office of Vice PIeident,
and leave TO legislative proviGon the
caE. Of vacancy in The feat Of The Fra
Magitrate.
The Convention was aware thar every
fpecies Of trick and contrivance would
be pradited By the ambitions and IN
principled. 1t was therefore conceived,
that fin elections, the Prefdent and
Vice Prefident were dcfgnated, there
would generally be a vote given tor
one of two rival PreGdents while there
would be numerous candidates for the
office: becauie he who wilhed to be
come PreGdent would naturally connect
himlelf with lome popular man of each
particular diRTi2, for the fake Of his 10
cal influence, 60 that the Vice Proficiency
would be but as mere bate TO catch
fate gudgeoas The Perfon choien
would have only partial vote, be per
haps unknown to the greater part OF
the community, and probably unfit for
thoie duties which the death OF a PIetl
dent might call on him to perform
Thr Convention not only foreiaw,
that fcene might take place fmilarto
th1Apf the laf presidential election but
even fuppofed it not impodible, that
at fome time or other, perlon admit
ably fitted for the office of Prefdent
might have an equal vote with one total
ly unqualified, and that by the predomi
nance of faction in the Houie Of Repre-
fentstives the latter might BE- preferred.
This, which-is the greateIt Improbable
evil Of the prelsnt mode, was calmly eS
amined, and il appeared, that however
prejudical it might be for the moment,
uieful lenon would relult from 1t for
the future, to teach conteniIng parties
the Importance ofgiving both votes for
man fit for the frlt office. This, FIR, is
one great Object contemplated by the
contribution whether it would be OBJ
tanned BY altering the mode Of election,
delerves a ferrous attention. The other
great Object is to defeat The fraud, the
force and the corruption which may be
uled TO place bad men in high author
ity. After the mott mature reflection
OF which my mind is capable, | am
petluaded that the prefent mode is pre-
ferable TO that which is Propoied in lieu
of it, and my voice has been given ac-
cording to my conviction.
l have tie honor to be, with Pertec
refpett, fir, your mot obedent fervant,
GOUV. NORRIS
TIE Hor. t5s Speaker Of TIE HogE Of m
family q TIE Stats Of NsTgy0rk-Al6any.