The U.S. Constitutional Convention 6/1

 - Click here for the source.

- June 1: 

A National Executive
- Issues
- - How many?
- - Powers
- - how selected? 
- - how long a term?

Ideas thrown out: 
- single person
- should it have the power of war and peace?
- greater responsibility on one person
- position subservient to the legislature since it simply carries out the law. It should be selected by the legislature. Legislature should appoint as many as they thought necessary. Number should not be fixed.
- single executive assures "energy, dispatch, and responsibility."
- executive powers were: executing the laws and appointing officers.
- single executive was "the fetus of monarchy."
- admired British model of government.
- decision about unity or plurality postponed
- what should the powers of the executive be?
- debate over the following language: “with power to carry into effect the national laws, to appoint to offices in cases not otherwise provided for, and to execute such other powers, ‘not legislative nor judiciary in their nature,’ as may from time to time be delegated by the national Legislature.”
- election by the people? It worked in New York and Massachusetts.
- merits must have general notoriety
- appointment by the legislature in order to ensure he would carry out its will.
- independence from the legislature would lead to tyranny
- 3 years, with reelection
- 7 years
- legislative appointment could lead to intrigue between the branches
- 7 years was far too long, what if they proved incompetent?
- 3 years, maximum of 9
- voted for 7 year term
- vote by the people to ensure the state legislatures would not interfere.
- how practical is it?
- suggested the executive be elected by the legislature.