Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-05

work to be dealt with in the next article
Edmund Randolph, Governor of Vir-
ginia, and therefore ex offieio as well as
by right of his own high talents a
leader in the gathering, was well fitted
for the role of prepayment Of specific
basis for discussion, known as the Vir-
GINA Plan. Though only "a years of
age, he had already made q name for
himself as thinker and a speaker.
The Pinckneys, Charles CoteSworth
and Charles, we're cousins, belonging to
one of the ablest of South Carolina
families. They were destined in the
convention and subsequently thereto to
add vastly to their fame. Charles
Pinckneys plan, submitted several
weeks after Randolph delivered his re-
markable address opening the discussion
and outlining the Virginia Plan, is re-
garded by many historians as one Of
the chief elements in the final shaping
Of the convention.
Gouyerneur Morris, descended from
Huguenot who had fed the proSecu-
ton of Louis XIV, was, nevertheless.
distruStful of popular rule and an able
advocate CT a strongly aristocratic gov
eminent. Madison, who in the course
of his career heard most of the ablest
speakers over period of SO formative
years in American history, wrote near
unique for "the correctness of his Ian
guage and the distinctness of his enun-
citation" He put the final polishing
touches to the actual text Of the Con-
Stitution, so that that document stands
ais a proof of his concise and luminous
style. He had only one leg, a circum-
stance which would not be worthy of
mention in a brief sketch Of a states
man were 1t not that once, while
AMI IN
usual quick thinking, turned his deflei-
eney to coed account and saved his life
by a clever speech on that subject be-
fore French mob.
Gerry. acute and clever was, in view
Of Shays Rebellion and the general
turmoil in Massachusetts, convinced
that a central government was
necessity. He confessed his fear of
submitting to his constituents anything
suggesting restraint, his people having
"the widest ideas OF government in
the world" Gerry's name has found q
permanent place in the political vocab-
ulary of the Nation through the, word
"gerrymander." That word was coined
to describe GerryS method of re-
districting Massachusetts, in 1910 so as
to strengthen his political machine. On
seeing map with the SPRAYING, shoe
string districts outlined upon it, an
artist exclaimed, "That central district
looks like a Salamanderl" "a gerry
mander, rather!" exclaimed another
opponent-and the word lived!
No delegate created by his mere pres
ence as awkward a situation as did
Thomas Miffiin Of Pennsylvania, who
had been leader in the cabal which
had attempted to deprive Washington
of command during the War OF lnde;
pendence. But Washington'S tact ana
observation-disclosures toward Mifhtn IN the
meeting obviated any unfortunate Incl
dents Miff1in, for his part worked
steadily toward forming an effective
Government, although he and all
others knew that Washington would
inevitably be invited to become the
head of that Government.
Doughty George Mason OF Falrtsx
County, Va, and doubling James VIII
son of Pennsylvania would have stood
out in any gathering.
John Rutledge of South Carolina was
to display legal talents which later
caused Washington to appoint him, in
1895. to be the Chief Justice of the
United States Supreme Court-an ap-
pointment to which he failed to Sc
cure approval because of insanity.
which, coming on him at the age OF
life. Rutledge, whose appointment was
due solely to WaShingtons admiration.
had, in the convention, argued that 1t
was unsafe to allow one man TO APP
point judges to the Supreme Court.
Eccentric Daniel JenifeF of st. Thorn
as. Md, was mindful Of the attention
which Charles Carroll OF Carroilton
| had attracted to himself by making
| the "of Carrollton" part Of his sig
nature to the Declaration of indie
pendence. CARROTS object had been
| to make it clear as to where the Kings
men were to search far him, II they
| so desired, When Jenifer came to
sign the Constitution the King Of Eng
land had been eliminated as a bogy,
| but the publicity instinct remained.
He, therefore, signed as Dan. of St.
Thomas Jenifer," and so it stands to
| this day on the original copy of the
| Constitution, In the Library Of Gem
tcopyright. ioai.l