THE VIRGINIA PLAN. The Virginia Plan, embodying the views of Madison, was presented to Convention by Randolph, on behalf of Virginia delegation, May 29. Elliot, v. 126-128; Curtis, ii. 32-86; Lalor, i. 638, 547; Conway's Randolph, chap. ix.; Bancroft, ii. 4-14, 35, 36; Rives, ii. 313-342. NOTE: In references which follow, B. indicates second volume of Bancroft's History of the Formation of the Constitution, and E. indicates fifth volume of Elliot's Debates, being Madison's minutes of the Convention. 1, Virginia—(May 30) postponed to consider 3, Morris, which is agreed to, E. 132-134; B. 14-15. 2, Virginia (May 30) postponed, E. 134-135; B. 15-16. (Je 9-11) substitute, that right of suffrage ought not to be according to Confederation, but according to representation, agreed to, E. 178-181. That ratio of representation should be in proportion to number of free inhabitants and three fifths of other persons, (7, June 13), agreed to, E. 181. That in second branch each State have one vote, disagreed to, E. 181-182; B. 33. That the right of suffrage should be the same in each branch, (8, June 13), agreed to, E. 182; B. 33. 3, Virginia-(May 31) agreed to, E. 135; B. 16. Becomes 2, June 13, 4, Virginia—(May 31) first branch to be elected by the people, agreed to, E, 135-137; B. 16-17. (Je 6) amendment, that first branch be elected by State legislatures, disagreed to, E. 160-164; B. 26-28. (Je 8) motion, to arrange States in three classes, and allow certain number of members to each class, E. 174. Qualifications: (May 31) postponed, E. 137. (Je 12) Term of three years, agreed to, E. 183-184; B. 34. Age of... years disagreed to, E. 184; B. 35. A fixed compensation, etc., agreed to, E. 184-185. Ineligible, agreed to, E. 185; B. 34. Incapable of reëlection, disagreed to, E. 185; B. 35. A THE VIRGINIA PLAN. 1. That the Articles of Confederation ought to be so corrected and enlarged as to accomplish the objects proposed by their institution; namely, common defence, security of liberty, and general welfare. 2. That the right of suffrage, in the national legislature, ought to be proportioned to the quotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants, as the one or the other rule may seem best in different cases. 3. That the national legislature ought to consist of two branches. 4. That the members of the first branch of the national legislature ought to be elected by the people of the several States, every......... for the term of...............; to be of the age of ....years, at least; to receive liberal stipends, by which they may be compensated for the devotion of their time to the public service; to be ineligible to any office established by a particular State, or under the authority of the United States, (except those peculiarly belonging to the functions of the first branch), during the term of service and for the space of...............after its expiration; to be incapable of reëlection for the space of.................... after the expiration of their term of service; and to be subject to recall. 5. That the members of the second branch of the national legislature ought to be elected by those of the first, out of a proper number of persons nominated by the individual legislatures; to be of the age of...............years, at least; to hold their offices for a term sufficient to insure their independency; to receive liberal stipends, by which they may be compensated for the devotion of their time to the public service; and to be ineligible to any office established by a particular State, or under the authority of the United States, (except those peculiarly belonging to the functions of the second branch), during the term of service and for the space of...............after the expiration thereof. 6. That each brauch ought to possess the right of originating acts; that the national legislature ought to be empowered to enjoy the legislative rights vested in Congress by the Confederation; and, moreover, to legislate in all cases to which the separate States are incompetent, or in which the harmony of the United States may be interrupted by the exercise of individual legislation; to negative 5, Virginia-Mode of election: (May 31) to be chosen by first branch, disagreed to, E. 137-139; B. 16. (Je 7) to be elected by the people in large districts, disagreed to, E. 167–170. To be appointed by national executive, disagreed to, E. 167. To be chosen by the State legislatures, agreed to, E. 166– 170; B. 29-31. (Je 12) to be thirty years of age, agreed to, E. 186-187; B. 35. Term of seven years, agreed to, B. 35. Entitled to no compensation, disagreed to, E. 187. To have same qualifications as to compensation and ineligibility as members of the first branch, agreed to, E. 187; B. 35. Whole resolution becomes 4, June 13. 6, Virginia (May 31) Each branch to originate laws, (5, June 13), agreed to, E. 139. National legislature to have legislative powers of Congress of Confederation, etc., down to last clause, (6, June 13), agreed to, E. 139; B. 17-18. To exert force of Union against a State, postponed, E. 140; B. 19. (Je 8) Reconsideration of power to negative State laws contravening, etc., in order to extend power to general negative, disagreed to, E. 170-174; B. 18-19. (Je 13) amendment, to restrain second branch from originating money bills, disagreed to, E. 188-189. |