Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-26

the institution Of electors can be supposed 10 be
wanting.
Finally, there is point of view from which to
look atthe several branches OF all these objections,
which exhibit them in the light of anomalous, if
not very equisocal, professions to the character OF
State rights. II is this that they present as CON-
tending parties, not the Federal Government on
one side. and the People ola State on. the other.
but the Legislature OF a State against the Peopie
oithe same State: the servants against their mas
ters ire icauing ;nen against the. mass; the few
comfiaing that they will lose the privilege OF con-
tol.ns aud directing the votes OF the many.
1he Committee have based their. plan Of amend
ment upon the proposition, that the plan of the
Constitution had fail.d in the election of President
and Vice President of the United States III.
points of failure indicated in its two leading
features the institution Of ELEcroRs, and me
ultimate election, 6y STATES, in the House of
Representatives.. That the first branch of this pro.
position has been fully demonstrated ant! the best
substitute proposed which The case admits OF. is
respectfully submitted the decision of the Senate
ihe establishment ofthe second branch, and the
demonstration of the fitness of the PROPOSED sub
stitute, remain to be attempted.
That it was the intention of the Constitution.
IN giving TO the States, in the House of kepresen
ta'ives, an equality of votes for President 10 in
crease the weight and responsibility of the House
anu 70 give TO the small states chance to act an
efticent'part in the etecon is equally clear from
the Constitution itself, and from all the cotcmpo-
raneous expeditions Of that instrument Upon
hese grounds The power In question has often been
defended; but if the intention of the Constitution
has failed if the small states have not realized the
chance which was intended for them; if the House
oil Representatives has derived no additional
weigh' or responsibility from acting as umpire be-
tween Presidential candidates; above all, if real
evil, both 10 the House and 10 the peopIe of the
states, have been found TO result from this con-
ungent power OF election; then there can be no
reason Tor preserving part Of the Constitution
which has failed of its object, and produces evil
instead OF good Tie Committee believe M. this
,-'.'s us been complete, and that the principles
winch should govern the election of "a Chief Mayis-
uate, IN Tree country, require that the choice OF
PRESIDENT OF these United States should no longer
be permitted to ,devoive upon the House of Repre
sentaives These principles have been stated and
enforced, IN the course of this report They spring
rom the dangers TO which such elections are liable.
These dangers are
1. ot corruption among the voters
Z. vi violence, in the heat of the elections.
q. VI coalitions, TO elect or defeat a particular
candidate.
Opposed to these dangers are certoin rules of ac
uoh, ripened into ayioms, to the test of which.
every election of iirst officer OF Republic should
oe oIouSnt, L heSe aXionS
10 prevent corruption:
J. Multiply the voters
= Keep the candidates from amopp them.
3. Avoid pre-exsting bodies of elec,ers.
10 propent rioience and avoid coalitions
l. Separate The voters.
Inc plan of election in the Committees amend
ment, both for the. first and second election has
been brought TO the test of each of these axioms.
ana FOUND 10 abide Them TIE voters will consist
u hii'ohs' ana cannot be corrupted;. they will be
scattered over the territory of the whole confelero
uoh' ana cannot hold an intercourse with the can
dlda'es; they will vote at several thousand deren,
Places on The same hours Of the same day. and can
neither night, nor coalesce; they are not pre-ex
is'hg body, IN the Of the objection, for that
term only applies &c small selected bodies.
:, iried, by the test of these axoms, the House of
representatives, as an electoral college, stands
condemned upon every one of them
corrupted.
e. 1t is pre-exsting body, therefore, capable
oil being tempered with.
.. II sits IN the presence OF the candidates fbere-
Jore is subject to be influenced by an intercourse
with them. &c
4. 1t votes in body, ere ore is subject to yio-
fence, and capable of coalitions
IN aoai'ion' 10 these objections, TO which the
Rouse OF Representative is subject. in con,mo,
with all small bodies, it is vet liable n o,hsrs
peculiar TO itself. as legislative department. viz
1. The anomaly of Legislature creatinp the
Executive s '"e
The interruption of its regular business.
D. Inc Introduction of a new test in elections of
members. '''o"' VI
a. The application OF a new influence to ,bsse
elections. ~ 'le'e
8. The erection of opposition and sdm;ni.,r.,;o,
parties in Congress '''0"
o. The effect of all this upon fair legislation
T. The further effect of all this upon The mpds of
'he people, The character oftre government and the
Stability OF Our republican institutions.
mere Is one point, however and the Committee
are proud to state il, in which the House of Re
tleseh.a"ves' as an electoral college, must forever
ue emitted 10 preference over any other of equal
NUMBERS winch can be constituted: il is in the
elevation of its chai acier; in the talents ,.,;o ~,
unguish, and the integrity which ennobles il. and
which me pride, virtue, and intelligence of The
people must be forever anxious to presorve and
exalt. f'' - anu
, Inc objections which have been stated apa;ns,
bringing the election into this House. are Of sucb
"I'er' IN Inc opinion OF the committee, as to
=, I'm ,ne ihost serious consideration; and, when
'"en "esht ana Importance duly estimated. i,
can hardly be believed tina, the trainers of or CO..
siitution, ifhey could have foreseen the freouon,
occurrence oil that event, would have consented 70
endanger the purity of our government. and tho
stability oil our Institutions by conserving 10 carrv
me election before tina, body, in any continrency
II is obvious, from the whole theory
ana spirit OF the constitution, that thePresdent was
intended TO be chosen by electors fresh from The
pe"p,e' anu ,ua' u was never contemplated that
the election should deyolve on the House Of Re-
representatives., except in extraordinary and rare
contingency. But, from an extension in territorv
which could not have been foreseen, ard an in
crease 10 wealth and population beyond ali expec-
anon the pursuits of citizens have become 90
diversified and so many local interests have snrnno