Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-10
THE VIRGINIA PLAN.

THE VIRGINIA PLAN.
Edmund Randolph's speech, which
marked the beginning Of actual work
upon the Constitution, is noteworthy
alike for its summary of the reasons for
the failure of the Government under
the Articles of Confederation, and for
its clear outline of the system which it
was proposed to substitute for 1t.
Regarding the Confederation, he
enumerated its defects: First, the lack
Of security against foreign invasion,
Congress not being able to prevent a
war or prosecute one by its own author
ity; secondly, the inability Of the Gen.
trail Government to check quarrels be-
tween the States or put down rebellion
therein; thirdly, its heiplessness to ad-
vance commercial interests or protect
them from hostile activities and COM
binations abroad; fourthly, its inability
to defend itself even against the en-
croachmentS of the States; filthy, It's
failure to have paramount standing in
relation to the State constitutions
In summing up the case against the
Confederation, he said that unless
prompt and effective steps were taken,
anarchy would prevail throughout the
land.
He then submitted his resolutions,
which are instructive when compared
with the Constitution in its final form.
The resolutions, in brief, called for:
ID Enlargement of the Articles of
Confederacy so as to secure common
defense, security of liberty and general
welfare"
(2) Representation to be based on
quotas Of contribution to the Central
Government, or on the number Of free
inhabitants per State.
A 1.toa Tauie1of,1ra
90 Members of the first branch of
the Legislature to serve for blank years,
to receive liberal salaries and to be in
eligible for reelection.
go Members of the second branch of
the Legislature to be elected by those
Of the first branch, to be well paid,
given a long term and not less than
blank age; ineligible for reelection.
(6) Acts of Federal Legislature
branches to be above those of State
legislators.
Cd A National Executive, highly
paid, ineligible for reelection; this
Executive to enjoy the executive rights
formerly vested In Congress under the
Articles.
(8) The Executive and a convenient
member Of the National Judiciary to
compose q Council of Revision, author
lied to pass upon acts of the National
Legislature; this veto to be final unless
the Legislature repasses an act by blank
majority.
(o) A National Judiciary, Of one SUI
preme and inferior tribunals to be
chosen by the National Legislature, to
hold Office during good Behavior. The
Supreme tribunal to hear, in the dernier
resort, all piracies and felonies on the
high seas; cases affecting foreigners
o,sd oS4tUens - SI9aroof cstaRae. naaae
affecting national revenue; impeach-
ments Of national officers, and "ques-
tions which may involve the national
peace and harmony"
(10) Provision for admitting new
States, subject to consent Of National
Legislature.
(11) A republican government to be
guaranteed to each State by the United
States.
(l2) Obligations of Congress under
Articles Of Confederation to be faith
fully met
(l3) The new form of government to
be subject to amendment, regardless of
assent of the National Legislature.
(14 Executive, legislative and judi
cial branches in the several States to
take oath to support the Federal Gov
eminent.
(15) The scheme Of government
worked out by the convention, If APP
proved by Congress (of the Articles Of
Confederation), to be submitted to an
assembly or assemblies of representa-
tives to be expressly chosen by the
people to consider and decide thereon"
1t is significant that the first basic
question dealing with these resolutions
was: iDo you mean to abolish State
governments altogether?" To that
Randolph replied in the negative, but
insisted upon strong central govern
ment, nevertheless.
The next clash of viewpoints came
over representation. Should 1t be
equally for each State (the plan under