Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-15

,R.m..iy, v,cy,- So BIZ, While i, Is admi,tcd by
siooai csucuS,I ipos all. that the election OF Pre-
ed.l sideut nv the House OF Re.
personalities is great evil, it
is suggested, ns v, sirenuousy contended by some,
that Tins evil at ~ be avoided by Congressional
caucus. The rupusiiion, then, is simplv ths-iha,
detect, mn at Acknowledged defect in the uion,
IS to he temeded, IN the way prescribed BIZ de
CohStihuioRi sell, but by n voluntary association OF
men, who viii fake care that the case to which the
obnoxious provision applies shall not They will
take care that the election shall not devolve on Con-
eress and the instrument ward of this evil is
Congressional caucus.
% this plan OF cr,ig ng the course which the con-
s"uion, no matter how unwisely, has prescribed, in
case no presidential candidate shall obtaiu maioi-
~ "i the whole number of electors to this plan of
eheci'"S the change lay the arbitrary application of
power which the constitution does not recognize,
there are several objections, which, to me, appear
conclusive.
Ieri,in,,,e c.,.,s Let il lie distinctly under
whenl stood that the objections are
urged against - Cong essional
caucus instituted with view to guard against the
opet aiion of obno xuus provision IA the Conslilu-
uon-a caucus 10 which ederasis well us ne
puOi'canS may Ice adniited. IL is not meant To lie
'niriued that n caucus may not, under certain cir
cnmsinsces, he legi,inaeiy held. But the circup,-
stances which alone Justify enbe,s al Congress
consiiiutiunally excluded from electoral vote in
deciding o. recommending how the electors shall
,"e are, J. That there are rival candidates of df-
iertnt parties . That, the parry proposiuu I'm
held the caucus there are two Individuals
one ar more oi whom u Is necessary Withdraw in
order that the whole force at the party may be exert
Ell M favor OF one only Under these circuuis,an.
ces, II Is manifest tina, the party measure
conducted exclusively by members of the parv
They caucus against their adveTSaries. THIS I
| think, rsay he fairly done. not how i, Gan 4.
avoided. But. IL both at the facts above stated If,
not exist ii the candidates both, or all ms The
csse may he, suppor ted by portions OF the same
party, then the is obviously not apainst al.
adversary party, hut against the constitution and
this system, adopted, he called into nc
tim al pleasure lis long 's the constitution stands
10 inns stem my best aud most deliberate judgu,e
, IS opposed.
(I'o be continually
~ me hve nighes, l. not this latitude of selection
ros Indication ct The dstrust OF the people receive
"ur-,cntls of the electoral votes receives hreerntbs
may choose either az the Surely more rfrrenee
have been manifested for pu,c sentiment if The
rec"ected that tile election bad moi ia am
pre-estahlished body, but chosen lv die perle t
number of persons selected their fellow ON ill.,
mas, most ihey To possess the Information ant
discrimination requisite to complicated nm
(reu vol p mo IL deserves noticed tina, the I1,l
s ,' IN sonie measure recognizes this idea an,
one OF being right Tue amendment offered nv Joh,
80 comes to the point The electors their second meet
ing, are to choose from the ,ighes; ON the list
y since writing the above have examined ia. Jourp,
o, ihe convention The 6rst proposition was to confer th
S on Tue Senate The proposition strike out ih
anu to insert the House of Representatives vomf
ny states prevailed at once The of voting IN ,
id W epresen,auves does not seem have been con
suffered, as q separate question.
W MIR Madison will probably rrcollcct Circumstance
NJ that ihe, and which unce 4,
sae ihe remark in the text, the character oC Mr.
Nye, then Chancellor OF Virginia MIR. W.,he from hi
Hge his extensive eruitinn, his high Office hi, Ion,
anu MS snoiieSs integrity, was OF course 10 ~
eS"eht OF The electoral College, which he ana, MIR
huSoh were members. Thinking that il would he his du
=, w iSpare Tue certificates of the election Mr. Wyih
y; ";, (Which vs. perhaps in exist .nce) in which
was dSnev certified that ti. electors oi VIRGINIA bn,
t'ousy voted for FtamGs Je3tro, as President IN
1Husd Htdtss Mr. Madison, whose yen.,n,ion for M,
Nhs was sincere and profound, will also rccniert how
ec De was embarrassed and distressed " zen Mr. w NJ,
.,i o ino his hands, for his and correction
ana III what way he relieved