Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-30
[RrPcRTED FOR raE NATIONAL INrELLrcEscrr
Eighteenth Congress.
On he amendments 10 The Constitution.
THURSDAY, March 10, 1924.
IN SENATE

IN SENATE.
On molten of Mr.. HArNE, the several resa-
utioDs proposing amendments to the Consti-
tuition, IN relation 10 the election of President
and vice President, were taken up. Mr.. BAR
BouR was called 10 the chair.
Mr.. Mills moved the indefniie posfDone-
ntm ofall further consideration of the sub
Ject After some few preliminary remarks by
other members, the amount of which has been
gwen In our previous reports of debates On the
subject,
Mr.. King, Of N. Y. spoke in favor Of the
motion 10 postpone. The Reporter was then,
as he has always been, during the prese at
session, unable TO hear the remarks Of this
gentleman with sufficient distinctness TO report
Them fully and accurately. Mr.. X. was I'M
derstood as being opposed to any amendment
oil the Constitution, upon the point proposed
by these resolutions. He was in favor of re-
tanning, in the hands of the small states, the
power which they possess in the election OF
PRESIDENT, when that election results to the
House OF Representatives. He considered
that power as congenal to the federative cha
ractrr OF our government, and as having been
the fruit of that happy spirit of concession,
which led to the formation and adoption of
our present constitution. He held this right
10 be as sacred part Of the constitution, and
as consonant with the genius of our govern
ment, as that of the small states to a represent
tation in the Senate equal to that of the large
states. He thought the situation Of the coun-
try, at this time, did not invite such change
OF the constitution as was proposed by these
amendments and that, if made, it might
prove 10 be dangerous innovation upon the
peculiar character of our government
Mr. *. then proceeded, as we understood
HIM, to advert 10 power which he consider
ed a. foreboding far more danger TO the coun-
try than that of the election of President. in
the constitutional form, by the House of Re-
presentatives-a great central power, which
might avail itself of all the means of party
spirit, oil intrigue, and corruption, to effect its
purposes. He alluded to the practice ofnom-
mating candidates for the first Office in the ma
tlon by Congressional caucusses, sc.
I'VE nave some expectation of being able
hereafter, to present fuller report of Mr.
Kings observations
MIR. SMITH, of Maryland was in favor Eof
ssme amendment ofthe constitution, in order
to establish an uniform mode of electipg the
President and the resolution now before the
Senate would ouly go to produce that effect
he considered 1t to be the true meaning and
intent OF the constitution that the election
should be made in some TN form mode.
throughout the states, and, if it We're so, the
choice would not frequently come to the
House of Representatives. If the present
provisions OF the constitution were suffered to
remain, he did not see how we could ever have
President and Vice President elected
by the People. Such an event would
be morally impossible. He believed il was in
the spirit of the constitution that the President
should be elected by the People of the Unit
ed states. Now, IT an amendment was pro-
posed, which would increase the probability
ofan election according TO the true spirit of
that Instrument yhu Oh "a
ed In those states in which The choice of
Electors is made by the Legislature, there
nave been repeated propositions to change the
mode OF election, on the spur of the OCCASION,
10 favor the views of particular candidates.
changes ofthis kind, Mr.. S. believed had been
proposed IN Virginia, and 10 New York, in or
der to affect their elections. In New York,
the members ofthe Legislature had been sub
Jected TO scorn and contempt, for not altering
the mode ofchoosing Electors, TO meet GER
tam exlgency. Mr. S. said, If he had been
member Of that body, he certainly should not
have voted for such change, under snch cir
cumstances. He thought the mode of cleo
ton, whatever it might be, ought to be uni
FORM IN each state, and throughout the coun-
try.
Inc resolution proposed by the gentleman
rom Missouri, had been taken up, and partly
discussed, and, Mr.. s. said he did notkn WIN
II should not be further considered. He had
never listened with more pleasure, than to the
arguments of that gentleman, in support of
the plan he had proposed and as Other mem
oers mac animated their wish TO reply to those
arguments, Mr.. Smith was willing they should
nave the opportunity to do so. When the
speech ofthe member from Missouri came fo
be printed, as it probably would be, and as il
richly deserved to be, he wished TO see the
arguments OF those who were opposed TO that
genteman's plan also printed -that the public
might see, and Judge, of the reasons urged in
us support. As to the practice of holding
CaueUses, TO which the gentleman from New
York had alluded, il had long existed in his
country. II was no new thing here. II had
bern adopted on great many important oc
casi0ns-lt had produced great many good
effects. Mr.. ). believed the first embargo was
agreed upon in Caucus. Every one had a
right to the exercise Of his own opinions and
principles, on that subject. But, MIR. 9. said.
ne considered the present question to be- mp
on the propriety Of establishing some uniform
mode Of electing the President and this. he
thought, ought to be done.
Mr. VAN buren,, Of n. Y. said, that il had
not bren his intention Ia add any thing TO the
remarks he had heretofore Submitted on the
motion now Under consideration, bat sonle
explanation on his part had become necesss
ry. 1t would, he thought, he injustice, MS well
TO his constituents as to himself to suffer the
nsw views which had been taken the sub
Ject by his honorable colleague, to pass unno
ticed. In dscharging the duty thus imposed
upon him, he would not increase the excite
ment which had been manifested, by giving
any latitude to The Discussion which the oc-
casion did not call for. No portion If the
| time Of the Senate would be occupied by him.
| In discussing The cnnsfilnfinnaiifv az q. Cnn-