The southern press., 1852-03-18
For The S0tlihcy7i Press.
Relies Of Scraps aud Musings.
EXECUTIVE PLURALITY.
No. 59.

i Mr.. Calhoun has been ridiculed by some ant
condemned by others for recommending a divis
ion of executive power The following extract
from the second volumes Of Mr.. Madison's in
valuable report of the proceedings of the con
vention which framed The Constitution of th,
! United States, will show that more than on,
dstmgui she'd member of that body favored thu
idea. This report should be studied by every
man who wishes fully to understand the tru,
principles OF the Constitution, through the opin
ions and Arguments of its founders, for and
against the different PROVISIONS 1t is worth 4
score of the commentaries of old federal judges
and lawyers whoge notorious devotion 10 d
"strong government" justly deprives their ex-
position of all authority.
The first draft Of a consultation was present
ed by Mr. Randolph, of Virginia, in series Of
resolutions which We're taken up and debated
separately. The seventh resolution provided
for an executive, consisting of three persons
and was taken up on the LIST of June, 1887. The
following debate took place.
"Nlr. Pinckney was for vigorous executive,
but was afraid the executive powers of the ex-
sting Congressf might extend to peace and war,
&c, which would reqder the executive mon
archy of the worst kind, to wit, an elective mon
archy.
tMr. Wilson moved that the executive CON
sist of single person. Mr. f. Pinckney sec
onded the motion, so as to read shat national
executive, to consist of q single person." be in
stituted
. "a considerable pause ensuing, and the chair
man asking if he should put the question, Dr.
Franklin observed it was a point of great i'm
portance, and wished that gentlemen would de-
liver their sentiments on it before the question
was put.
"Mr. Rutledge said he was for vesting the ex-
ecutive power in single person, though he was
not for giving him the power of peace and war.
A single man would feel the greatest RESPONSE
bity, and administer the public affairs best
"Mr Sherman said he considered the execu-
tive magistracy as nothing more than an institu.
ton for carrying the will of the Legislature into
effect that the person or persons ought to be
appointed by, and accountable to the legislature
only, which was the depository Of the supreme
will of the society. As they were the best
judges Of the business which ought to be done
by the executive department, and consequently
of the number necessary from time to time for
doing it, he wished the number might not be
fixed, but that the Legislature should be at lib
erty to appoint one or more, as experience might
dictate.
"Mr. Wilson preferred single magistrate as
giving most energy, dispatch and responsibility
He did not consider the prerogatives of the Brit
ish monarch as proper GU ide in defining the
executive powers. Some of these prerogatives
were of Legislative nature among others that
of war and peace, &c.
"Mr. Gerry favored the policy of annexing
council to the executive, in order to give weight
and inspire confidence.
"Mr. Randolph strenuously opposed an unity
in the executive magistracy. He regarded it as
the fetus of monarchy. We had, he said, no
motive for being governed by the British mon
srchy as our prototype" = = tAmerica re
qulreo ulHerent form OF government. lie
could not see why the great requisites for the
executive departments-vigor, dispatch, and re-
ponsbty-could not be found ia three men as
well as one, &C."
"Mr. Wilson said that the unity Of the exec
utive, instead Of being the fetus Of monarchy,
would be the best safeguard against tyranny.
He repeated that he was not governed by the
British model, which was inapplicable to the sit
uation Of this country, the extent of which was
so great and the manners so republican, that
nothing but great confederation would do
for IT,
"Mr. Wilson's motion for single magistrate
was postponed by common consent, the com
mitee being uuprerared for any decision on it
and the first part Of the clause agreed 10, viz
"That national executive be instituted"
On the third Of June the debate was resumed
and the amendment Of Mr.. Wilson adopted, as
follows: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsyl-
vania, Virginia, (Mr. Randolph and Mr.. Blair,
no; Doctor McClung, Mr.. Madison, and Gen
Washington, aye Col. Mason being no, but
not in the House; Mr. Wythc, aye, bat gone
home) North Carolina, SouthC arolina, Georgia,
Aye. New York, Delaware, Maryland, no-3."
Page 762, &c.
The Congress Of the confederation.