Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I will make the motion that the gentleman be allowed to go on for half an hour, and that it shall not come out of the time of the Gentfrom NewYork, [Mr. H. i] No objection being made, the extension of time was Mr.KEgrLanEtYed. Most of the proposed amendments were subsequently incorporated in some shape into the Constitution. They were mainly designed to guaranty to the people the right of petition, freedom of the press, trial byjury, &c. I ooue of the ui, however, proposed or intimated any change in that section which declares the congressional right of control over the elections of national Representatives. During the de bate which occurred when these propositions were presented, Mr.Vining, of Delaware, said, (as appears by the report on page 467 of the Annals:) “There were many thingsmentioned by someof the State conventionswhich he would never agree to on any conditions whatever: the changed the principlrl 5ths Government and were I reforeobnox iointo ill ricnda. the honorable gentleman/ramVir ginia lln –not touched uponmm of them; he was glad of it becausehe could by no means hear the idea of an alteration respectingthem: hereforred to themode of obtaining direct taxes. judging of elections, "kc. On the 2lst of July, Mr. Madisons proposed amendments were referred to a select coniinittee of one member from each State, of which Mr. Vining was chairman. On the 2Sih ofJuly that gentleman, as chair man of the committee, submitted a report, embracing ten proposed amendments, which were subsequently considered in ComWhole, and some amendments thereto adopted. The debate on these propositions, in the reon of which the propositions themselves will be found incidentally stated, extends from page 729 to 789 of the volume already cited. he one of them, however, proposed, to limit the power of Congress With respect to elections for to Representatives. at when the propositions of the committee had been considers and reported by the ComWhole, August 18, 1789 " Mr. Tucilsx. of SCarolina. moved that the followin Ipropositionl of amendmentsto the Constitution of the U.S. he referred to a ComWhole House, to wit." Among the propositions then submitted were the following: “Section four. clause one. strike out the words. but the Congressmay at any time. by law. make or alter such regulations. except as to the places of clio sing Senntors. "Section 5th clause one. amend the 1st part to read thus: Each State shall be the jud e. according to its own laws. of the election of its Sens&Repsto sit in Conness and shall furnish them with sufficient credentials.but each House shall fudge of the qualifications of its own members: a majority” of each House shall constitute &c.” Pnyle7.ll. n the question. Shall the said propositions of amendments be referred to the consideration of a ComWhole House? it was determined in the neuntive."Pugc792. Thus failed the 1st effort of SCarolina to strike down the ultimate power of Congress over the elections of its own members by giving effect to the doctrine that the States had rightS paramount to the General Government. but the champions of State rights had other efforts to make, and again attempted to restrict, that which they could not destroy, the power of Congress in this respect. A few days later, on the 21st of August, the constitutional amendments being again under consideration, Mr. Burke, of SCarolina. who I may remark in passing had voted in the SCarolina convention a inst the ratification of the Constitution, sai: "I moveyou. sir, to add to the articles of amendment the followins: Countess shall not alter modify or interfere in the times, planes, or manner of holdin elections of sore er Representatives came so a any dull refute or neglect or bunmble, In!inventionor rebellion to make ouclt ection.” Mr. AIRS said he thought this one of the most Justiflable of all the powers of Congress: it was essential to a bodyrepresentinl the whole communitythat tlwy Should have powerto regulate their own elections in order to securea representationfrom every art and prevent any improperregulations, calen atedto answer party purposesonly. It is a sole eisui in polities to let others judge for them and is adeparture from the principles uponwhich the Constitution was founded. Mr. Madison. If this amendment had been reposedat on tune. either in ComWhole or so arate y in the House. I should not have objecte to the discussionof it. But I cannot agreeto delay the amendmentsnow agreed upnn.by entering into the consideratiomof propositions not likely to obtuin the consent of either 2/3rds of this llouse or thrge 4ths of the State Lenislatures. I have consideredthis subject With some degree of attention, and upon the whole. majnclmed to think (he Unwritutt onetmideeel yI01.”noit in." "Mr. Sunk. of SCarolina. said he hoped it would be altreedto: that 8 States had expressed their desireson this head and all of them wished the General Gernmento relinquishtheir math !overthe, elections. The eight States he alluded to were NewHampshire, Massachusetts. NewYork. Pennsylvania, l Maryland. Virginia. NCarolina and SCarolina. MLPARHOLLCICDIELI that Maryland had expressed the desire attributed to her. "Mr. Firzsnmss. jIlie remark was not just as it respected Pennsylvania. Mr.t 3ine wic I of Massachusetts moved to amend the motion by HIDB the power to Congress to alter the times manner and places of holding elections. provided, the States madeim properones: foras much imury might result to the men from improperre sulationsas from a neglector a refusal to make any. It is as much to be apprehended that the States may abuse their powers as that the U.S. may m“aMkera. n improper use of theirs. AlilS ll!ld that inadequate reulations were equall injurious as having none.an that such an amendment as was now proposed would alter the Constitution. It would vest the supreme authority in placeswhere it was never contemplated. Mr. SHE Elsi! observed. that the Gmuntmn wese veru Infinilllol! 3n ngi tlnr clause: Uta! it was an unporlnnlpromnon and Jet wasICHQMdit wouldlend to“mboert the Government. Mr. MADISON was willing to make every amendment that was required by the States winch dtdtw lend l o destroy the principlu dud the efficacuef the chu alilulion; be conceived that the proposed amendment would have that tendancy; he wps thoroforsopposed “Mr. TUCKER objectedto ML Sedxwicks motion of amendment.because it had a tendency to defeatthe object oft. efiroposition hrotilht forward by his colleague.