Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-14

/ Agan-"ls it better for the Peope-a fair majority of
the Popular Prncpie-should elect Executive Power
Or that minor faction should be enabled 10 embarrass
and defeat the Judgment and will of this majority, and
throw the election into the House of Representatives?
| THIS Is the question"
Again" Shall we be so inudicious az to make cleo
ton destroy the prncp pie Of election, by adhering 10
mode of exercising it to be capable Of besow
ing upon minority the choice because such election
invented exclude measuraby handmaid to its intro
ductiOn?" DC.
Gen. S. SMIrn.-"Ahough even with The number 3
there possibility Of the choice drvoivng the
House Of Representatives yet The adoption Of The de-
signaling princi pie, The number 3, will render The
less probable II the intention Of the trainers
Of tho Constitution that the election should 20 10 the
House Of Representatives, but in the Nor
was II ever contemplated that about oneth Of the Poo
pie should choose President for the Why have
gentlemen paid no regard to the experience which they
have had from the last election, when less than onehird
of the members harrassed the public mind kept the Uaon
in agitation and Congress engrossed TO the exclusion o.
nearly all ether business for two weeks? Suppose that
the House OF Representatives had been accessible 10
corruption the Diets Of other nations has been, and
that three men, having entire power Of the wishes OF
three States, had been seized upon-thc election made
contrary to the wishes Of the Peoplewhat would have
been the effect the minds of the People, or The adl-
nStraon Of the Government for the attachment which
the people feel for the Constitution itself: He need not
attempt to describe the effects. 1t was his dry TO pre-
vent it, &c.
Mr.. HlLLHousE, of Connecticut. We had been told
days ago. that candidate proposed TO be chosen by
law, having his head cut off; such a process
would be rather disagrecahe to him. he wished to avoid
it himself end 10 prevent others from getting into such
critical situation; and if the amendment were TO be adopt
ed he had doubt but 10 times out OF co. the choice
would devolve the House Of Representatives. lfcre
~ to act correctly, party passions would
prevail occasion important; but carry the cham
pions of two opposite patti 10 the House Of Representa-.
lives, and instead voting 81 times, they will vote 30
hundred times Alter it as you propose and let two
candidates be equal and then you will be told that they
were both intended for President-what will be the
sequence On the Sd of March neither party will give out
and will end in the choice Of Sd man. who will not be
the choice of the people, but who will, by art
full contrvances bring himself to that place with The
sole intention Of getting in between them. Choice by
lot would be certainly better. W.uld not any pre-
fer choice by lot, rather than such would
break up the Constitution, and leave the people without
President in whom they would confde: The prnci-
pie of the Constitution of recng by electors is certainly
preferable to all others. One of the greatest cells that
happen is, THE THROWING OF THE ELEcTIoN INTO THE
Housr OF REPRESENTATIVES,. Gentlemen may sup.
pose that such is the predomnancy Of their party that
they can carry their President But party can long
hold an ascendancy in power they will i'll treat each
othor or some of them will disagree, and from the ag
ments new parties will arise who will gain power, and
again disagree. The Constitution predicated upon
the existence parties. They will always exist, and
never will there be wanting pretexs-thcy will be ar
raycd, &c, &c.