Should the President be elected by the people?

OCR: 4 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

Reporter's notes: some cited speeches survive only as a reporter's shorthand record, not the speaker's own text.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (1787-11-26; reporter's paraphrase): James Wilson believed that the President should be elected in a way that makes him 'the man of the people.' He argued that being elected by the different parts of the United States would make the President consider himself as not particularly interested for any one part, but as watching over the whole with paternal care and affection. [1]
• BELIEF (1787-11-26; reporter's paraphrase): James Wilson believed that the President should have a qualified negative power over laws passed by Congress, but he did not directly address whether the President should be elected by the people in this passage. "the qualified negative of the President upon both." [2]
• BELIEF (undated): James Wilson believed that the election of the president would not be prone to convulsions or tumults, and that the process of appointing electors would be managed with coolness and caution. He argued that the electors would be appointed either by the citizens or by the legislature, and that the process would be similar to the election of representatives in each state. "In the appointment of the electors, there is not reason for the least apprehension of convulsions and tumults." [3]
• BELIEF (undated): James Wilson believed that the President should be elected by freemen and fellow citizens, as he argued that such an election could be carried on with fairness and regularity. He contrasted this with the situation in Poland, where only tyrants and slaves existed. [4]
• BELIEF (undated): James Wilson believed that the President should be elected, and he argued that this elective title is a renewal of the ancient English constitution. He also stated that the preference for hereditary titles is ill founded. [5]
• BELIEF (undated): James Wilson believed that the election of the president should not be directly managed by the people, but rather by electors appointed by the states. He argued that this system would prevent tumults, convulsions, intrigue, and cabal, and promote candour and impartiality through mechanisms like voting by ballot, simultaneous voting, and the structure of electors' votes. (key quote above) [6]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [3], [4].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. James Wilson believed that the President should be elected in a way that makes him "the man of the people," as he argued in his speech in the Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention [1].

2. He also believed that the President should be elected by freemen and fellow citizens, as he argued that such an election could be carried on with fairness and regularity [4].

3. However, Wilson also believed that the election of the president should not be directly managed by the people, but rather by electors appointed by the states [6].

4. He argued that this system would prevent tumults, convulsions, intrigue, and cabal, and promote candour and impartiality through mechanisms like voting by ballot, simultaneous voting, and the structure of electors' votes [6].

5. Wilson believed that the process of appointing electors would be managed with coolness and caution, and that the election of the president would not be prone to convulsions or tumults [3].

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: PARTIAL

The record is silent on whether the President should be elected directly by the people or through electors.

Extrapolation: James Wilson believed in the importance of the President being the "man of the people," but he also believed in a system of electors to ensure fairness and prevent tumults. His views suggest a preference for an indirect election process through electors, rather than a direct popular vote.

Competing readings: One reading suggests Wilson supported an indirect election process to ensure fairness and prevent tumults. Another reading suggests he believed in the importance of the President being the "man of the people," which could imply a preference for a more direct election process. The record itself supports both readings.

Confidence: Moderate, based on the partial record coverage and the competing readings in the record.