Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-10-07
A CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS.

Themistocles has almost exhausted the sub
iect: yet there one or two points, which
we are induced to touch.-Nlr. Niles puts
this question To the Editor of the Enquirer
"Whether he believes TINT, il the members the con-
present U. States (perhaps the most en-
ighiened body Of statesmen collected, the
Of 100 bad supposed possible any provision OF
that Instrument could be evaed by meeting the b,e
tes Of congress, secretly and exclusively assembled
ratified the constitution without an amendment expressly
si , any such proceeding was not supposed
constitution was TO be set asde altered, il presum.
20 act an Ds Re- S sGi Se sss s his 10 ed
mud mat though the members of in their
constitute their individual pretensons to act-so Tie act
must virtually be that of members congress- for they
though no elected hold OF
From my reading of the e" Virginia Debates if
hunted down like Eaad wolf"
Mr.. Niles has set us a-huDting in the
Virginia Debates for the opinions OF its mem
bers- and we cheerfulIy submit all that we
find interesting on the mode of eLecting the
President
Mr.. Monroe IAN anti-federalist) expressed
these ideas
He is to he elected by electors in a manner per.
fec,ly Unsatisfactory to my mind believe that he
will owe his election, in fact, To the state go,
mems, and not TO the people ut large IL is to be
observed, that congress have IL in their power To au-
ing Tie president. Is IT not presumeable they will
appoint the tunes OF choosing the electors and elect
ing ue president, al a considerable distance from
each oher, so as To give an opportunity TO the elect
ors TO form combination If they know that such
man as they wish, for instance the actual president
cannot possibly be elected by ma oriy of lie whole
number OF electors appointed, yet ihey prevent
the election by such majority, oil any they disap-
prove OF, and Il they procure such number of
votes as will he sufficient make their fayore one
oil the live highest on the list, they may ultimately
carry the election
The votes III choosing him shall be taken by states
each state having one vote. Let how Gar this
Is compa'ibie with the security of repuhlicnnism.
although tbs state rs TO have ten and Massachusetts
eight representatives, aud Delaware and Rhode ISL
and are To have but one eac yet the are TO be
ny states only. The consequences will be, li,at a
MAJORITY OF The states, and these Consisting OF the
smallest, may elect him This will give an adyaD.
'age 10 the small STATES lie will depend therefore
on The states for his recollection aud continuance in
obce, aud not the people, Does il not hear the
duct himself IN accommodation TO henI, since by
them he is chosen, and may he again.
Mr.. Grayson lanother aot-federalisD saws (:
" The executive is still worse IN this respect than
'he democratic branch. He is TO be elected 10y a
numher OF electors IN the Country bul The principle
Is changed, when no person has a majority of lie
"hois nunher OF electors appointed, when more
'h"n one have such majority, aud have equal
NUMBER ol votes, Tor then the lower house vote
ny states. " is illus changed throughout the whole.
IL seems rather nded on accident than any pria-
cple OF government ever heard Of"
p" have an extreme objection TO the mode Of bis
eecuoD. presume the seven eastern states will
always elect him As he is vested with the power of
making treaties, and rs there is material distinction
between the Carrying and productive states, tie for.
mer WIZ be Disposed TO have him themselves lie will
| accommodate himself TO their interests 10 forming
treaties, aud they W costume him pcrpcually IT, Of.
ice Thus mutual interest will lead them recipfo
csliy 90 support one auohcr VI will be government
OF faction, mud this observation will apply iu every
part of IT, For, having n,aiorily. they may do sha,
| lheYpiease. have made estimate which slews,
With what facility they win be able ie-oIcc hin,
The number Of electors IS equal 10 the number OF
representatives and senator's, viz nirety-one They
are 10 vote Tor two persons. They give there.
lore one hundred and eighiy-twO votes. Let iere be
oTy- i've votes ior fur different canddsics and Two
| Tor the president he is Of the FIVE highest If he
| have but two votes, which he may easily purchase
w this case, 10y tic third clause Of tho hrsl section
Of the second article, he seciion to Je 5y The re.
| preseDtaiives, according 10 6iaies