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HARVARD |UNIVERSITY|

JUt IB W

Mr. Wilson* thought that some additional directions to the Committed would be necessary.

Mr. Kino. The Committee are to provide for the end. Their discretionary power to provide for the means is involved, according to an established axiom. i

Adjourned.

Saturday, July 21st.

In Convention,— Mr. Williamson moved, "that the Electors of the Executive should be paid out of the National Treasury for the service to be performed by them." Justice required this, as it was a national service they were to render. The motion was agreed to, ncm. con.

Mr. Wilson moved, as an amendment to the tenth Resolution, "that the Supreme National Judiciary should be associated with the Exeoutive in the revisionary power." This proposition had been before made and failed; but he was so confirmed by reflection in the opinion of its utility, that he thought it incumbent on him to make another effort The judiciary ought to have an opportunity of remonstrating against projected encroachments on the people as well ns on themselves. It had been said, that the Judges, as expositors of the laws, would have an opportunity of defending their constitutional rights. There was weight in this observation; but this power of the Judges did not go far enough. Laws may be unjust, may be unwise, may be dangerous, may be destructive; and yet may not be so unconstitutional as to justify the Judges in refusing to give them effect. Let them have a share in the revisionary power, and they will have an opportunity of taking notice of those characters of a law, and of counteracting, by the weight of their opinions, the improper views of the Legislature.— Mr. Madison seconded the motion.

Mr. Gorhax did not see the advantage of employing the Judges in this way. As Judges they are not to be presumed to possess any peculiar knowledge of the mere polioy

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