White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1935-09-12
September II Date OF Adoption
Of United States Constitution

and nothing was allowed to be known
of the deliberations during that time.
In after years, several of the delegates
published memorandums on the pro-
ceedings, but some of these are con-
Trajectory, and it was not until this
year that additional notes on the con-
vention were discovered which give us
a clearer picture of the arguments,
contentious and compromises of the
men who framed the momentous docu-
ment
Then, as now, there were differences
| in political opinion. Few of the dele
gates to that convention were OF the
same mind as to what should constitute
a central government. There were the
political realists, who believed in a
strong national government, who were
fearful of the excuses of democracy
and wished a government by an aris-
tocracy of ability and wealth.
There were the political idealists, who
commended that each state was supreme,
and that federal government should
have no powers of legislation but
should only bind the states loosely to-
gether.
To them, there was grave danger
of national government legislating
against the interests of the small states.
Between these two beliefs was yet
another, eXemplified by James Wilson
of Pennsylvania, one of the most gifted
members of a remarkably gifted as
sembly. While sympathizing with the
idealism of the revolution, he looked
forward to a day when the weight of
increased responsibility could be sup
ported only by a strong national gov
eminent, given sufficient powers to
hold the states together. Under his
conception Of a national government,
the states would have to surrender
some rights, just as individuals sur
render the natural rights of life, liberty,
property and character when they en-
ter civil society.
Center Group Wins
In the end it was this middle-of- the
road type of political philosophy which
won out. Compromise was necessary,
and most of the recommendations of
Wilson were adopted. He had favored
two branches of the legislature, a single
executive, an electoral college, and
judges appointed by the executive. On
these points he won out. However he
was at variance with the majority on
the question of an absolute veto for
the executive, the basis of represen-
tation in the senate and on the direct
election of senators. Later, an amend
ment to the constitution was to embody
his idea Of direct election Of senators.
Exceeded Powers?
In discussion of the power granted
by the constitution to the different
branches of the federal government
} and to the states, it is most interest
ing to note that the constitutional
convention had no powers to draw up
a constitution at all.
. When it became apparent that the
i Articles Of Confederation, under which
the central government of the United
. States was then operating, were not
sufficiently explicit the Congress of
the Confederation passed, in Febru-
airy, 1887, resolution stating that it
was expedient that convention be
called "for the sole and express pur-
u pose of revising the Articles Of Con-
federation such revisions to be sub
mitted to the states for their ratifi-
cation The states, in sending their
! delegates to the convention gave them
only the powers of revision.
q Explanations Necessary
However, when the convention was
= assembled it was apparent that
number Of the delegates were in favor
of changing the system Of the central
government, and there was long fight
= between the state rights group, who in
u sisted upon revision only, and the ma
. tionalist group, who wanted reorganl-
u zation And when their work was done,
4 the members were forced to explain
very carefully to the state legislatures
y why they had changed the system OF
government.
Under the language of the Consti-
. tuition itself, ratification by nine states
. was sufficient for it's establishment
!, "betWeen the states so ratifying the
same" New Hampshire, on June 81,
!, 1873, was the ninth to ratify. And on
: the first Wednesday in March, 1888,
Z the Constitution was declared in effect
!" and new government was begun