Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-03-03

in another respect. 1t un-
necessarily exposes the election TO caba!s
and intrgues Admitting the candidates
and the ELECTORS to BE- The same under the
two different modes of election it would
be more practicable To obtain from an e.
lector, by improper means, one OF his two
votes, than his only vote. For yielding
II, ne might have more persuasive rea
sons. 10 satisfy his own mind and more
plausible pretex;s 70 justify his conduct 10
the world. He might be persuaded, or,
1t not, he might pretend, that the vote he
should bestow, would not operate to give
the Presidency, but the Vice Presidency
only. Besides, the election may now be
efftcted, either by procuring vote or
votes from the opposite ticket, or by di-
veyting a vote on votes from an associate,
supported on the sa,ae ticket. There is,
in this respect a,wo-foid opportunity, and
consequently double temptation. One
OF these doors, and hat the mast danger
GUS opening 10 corruption. will he e'Eectu-
ally shut by the amendment. 1t will also
lessen the chance of two successive pro.
cesses OF election, one BY ihe electors,
and another by the lousc Of Representa-
lives; and thereby lessen the opporiuni.
ties iUra succession 1Fc9ba,s and iuirigues.
This operation OF the amendment fur
nishes all additional reason in its Favor. |,
Is more confornaJie TO tie original i1ten-
ton of tn Constitution, that the clectIon
should be made 81 tx electors Ihan 2ythe
Representatives, IS q majority is rcquir-
ed,,o constituted choice, there may I've a ts;-
lure; and, in such ar event there must he
an authority lodged somewhere To- com
pletethe election. i1this Commonwealth,
upon = non election OF Governor ~ Lieu
texan; Governor hy tne sUT es of the
people, the House Jf Be9r' .er },;yes &C.
let iwo from the highest candidates, and
from those two the Scuete make I, further
selection OF one. Upon anon-eiection of
Senator, a convention OF both houses Gil
the vacancy from the Two hishas on the
returns. SO III the government 81 the q
Wted States, upon the failure oi majority
81 -iGclorNI votes, the ee@,ion mast, of
conrs-. be- completed ~ some OF the cons;i-
;u;ed authorities; the Constitution has
corn E''ted that trust 20 the House OF Re-
pre- iuutatives. Bur IL Is only 20 supply
cci-<t; - complete an unfinished v Ork;
TO Guard AGAINST cNnurgeucy, and pres
vent an impending evil. I; is substi,u-
ton, arising from necessity, and rot q
.nClu.e 0r desirable mode Of election.
1t ought not, therci3rs, to b. cx endt d be.
ypnd the reason & necessity on which i, IS
founded. An election by electors, chosen
Tor that sole and express purpose, wijhiD
( short period before the election, voting
but once, and all at the same time, m Sc
9rnteen different places, is more safe and
proper, han 10y representatives., who are
s'andins body, chosen principally loro.
,heT purposes. a man, as Client, nay
consistently employ an attorney 20 repre-
sent hin in a court Of law. Oh accuuut OF
his professional merit, whom he would
nct choose 70 represent him as legislator.
30 also = district may elect Representa-
tive III Congress. for his general qualih.
cations as a legislator, and with view 10
the c"cluon business of legi.latlon. TO
whom hey would not delegate their choice
OF President. IT. tbir poin; Of view, Ger
o'nly, electors more directly and fairly
represent the people. in expressing their
chnic-, thsn such standing body as ,hc
House o. Representatives. 5y 'essening
he contingencies, which may tranler he
election from he rleci2rs 90 tue Eeprenia-
tjve,, she amendment is calculated to pro
duce a sa!u'ay effect
II has been SAID hat this will destroy a
f}rraigc fealu'e OF the Cons.i,uiion.' ]
hon", oir, we shall no, suffer ourselves 10
81 fascinated D eouDds; but attend % the
substance and ,ea'.y Of things. If tie
term = te7eratips" rs meant 10 express a.
ny Characteristic prinCi2i. O. cDuiederat.
ed Cover mrnts ceacrliiy. IL has no ap.
plica,ion 10 the suhjcEt before us. The
yarj"us corfsderaCie5 g auc1ent AID mo-
dern times have been Constructed upon
different principles and have not agreed
in any uniform rui' Of election. If The
word is used, IN reference 70 tie govern
ment Of th- United STATES, under the or
'i"'o7 &C confederation and If The clause
rroroSed to he amended, were derived
from those articles, the derivation would
be 80 arglnent ~ its f'yor for many of
the principles Of that confederation were
iJu1t - hl erroneous, and are now explod-
ed; and, IT any are preserved. tfcir pre-
creation is, or ough' TO be- founded nn their
intrinsic merit. But the mode Of voting,
Cor Pre- mt and Vice President is not de-
~. 4 c~,t, liz. ...ttcf.s IS