Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Organization of the House of Representatives, [21 June 1787]
Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the
Organization of the House of Representatives1
[Philadelphia, June 21, 1787]
Col. Hamilton considered the motion2 as intended manifestly to transfer the election from the people to the State Legislatures, which would essentially vitiate the plan. It would increase that State influence which could not be too watchfully guarded agst. All too must admit the possibility, in case the Genl. Govt. shd. maintain itself, that the State Govts. might gradually dwindle into nothing. The system therefore shd. not be engrafted on what might possibly fail.
, 142–43.
1. The versions of these remarks recorded by Robert Yates and John Lansing, Jr., were as follows. Yates: “It is essential to the democratic rights of the community, that this branch be directly elected by the people. Let us look forward to probable events. There may be a time when state legislatures may cease, and such an event ought not to embarrass the national government” ( , 149). Lansing: “If you permit Legislatures to elect you will have State Interests represented” ( , 76).
2. The motion was made by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and stated “that the 1st. branch [of the legislature] instead of being elected by the people, shd. be elected in such manner as the Legislature of each State should direct” ( , 142).