How should the powers of the President be limited?

OCR: 8 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

• ACTION (editor's note) (1787-09; editor's note, not his words): On September 17, 1787, the editor reports that George Mason approved of an election of the Executive by the legislature rather than by the people at large. He also spoke decisively against a motion to substitute 'during good behaviour' for a fixed term of office for the Executive. "George Mason approved of an election by the legislature rather than by the people at large." [1]
• BELIEF (1787-09): George Mason believed that the President's power should be limited by ensuring proper information and advice through a constitutional council, preventing dangerous blending of executive and legislative powers, and requiring the House of Representatives' assent for treaties where safe. He argued that the current system lacked these safeguards, leading to potential abuse. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (1787-09): George Mason believed that the President of the United States should have constitutional counsel to limit his powers, as he pointed out the lack of such a provision in the Constitution. "The President of the United States has no Constitutional Coun" [3]
• ACTION (1788-06): George Mason proposed that the President should not command the army or navy in person without the consent of two-thirds of the members in both houses. This shows his view that the President's military powers should be limited and require legislative approval. (key quote above) [4]
• ACTION (1788-06): George Mason proposed that there should be a constitutional responsible council to assist in the administration of government, with the power of choosing a president from their own body. This proposal would limit the President's powers by ensuring shared governance and oversight. "That there shall be a constitutional responsible council, to assist in the administration of government, with the power of choosing out of their own body a president, who in case of the death, resignation or disability of the president of the United" [5]
• BELIEF (1788-06-03; reporter's paraphrase): George Mason believed that the President should not have the power to command the army in person without the consent of a majority of both houses of Congress, and that the President should not have the power of pardoning crimes advised by himself, as it could lead to the establishment of a monarchy and the destruction of the republic. [6]
• BELIEF (1788-06-03; reporter's paraphrase): George Mason argued that the President should not have sole power to make treaties, as it would be repugnant to republican principles. He believed that such power should be shared with the Senate to avoid extremes and ensure proper checks. (key quote above) [7]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): George Mason objected to giving the Executive the pardoning power, and he made remarks on the treaty power on Thursday, the 19th (date unspecified). "George Mason continued his remarks on the same topic." [8]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): George Mason suggested establishing a privy council of six members to advise the President, to be chosen by the Senate for six years, with specific regional representation and rotation. He proposed this as a method to limit presidential power and prevent the mixing of legislative and executive functions. He moved to postpone consideration of a clause to address this issue. "He moved to postpone the consideration of the clause" [9]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): George Mason advocated for limiting the President's term to eight years out of twelve or sixteen years, and he expressed concern about the President remaining in office for life. "George Mason thought 'some stated time ought to be fixed when the President ought to be reduced to a private station,' and he advocated eight years of office out of twelve or sixteen years." [10]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1], [8], [9].

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

1. George Mason believed that the President should not have the power to command the army in person without the consent of a majority of both houses of Congress. [6]

2. He proposed that the President should not command the army or navy in person without the consent of two-thirds of the members in both houses. [4]

3. He argued that the President should not have sole power to make treaties, as it would be repugnant to republican principles. [7]

4. He believed that the President's power should be limited by ensuring proper information and advice through a constitutional council. [2]

5. He suggested establishing a privy council of six members to advise the President, to be chosen by the Senate for six years, with specific regional representation and rotation. [9] (inference)

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: PARTIAL

The record is silent on the specific mechanisms for limiting the President's powers beyond the proposals for a constitutional council and legislative consent for military command and treaties.

Extrapolation: George Mason believed that the President's powers should be limited through legislative oversight, the requirement of consent for military command, and the establishment of a constitutional council to provide advice and prevent the concentration of power.

Competing readings: The record supports the reading that Mason favored a constitutional council to limit presidential power, but it also shows that he was open to legislative methods of oversight.

Confidence: Moderate, based on the partial record and the quality of the sources, which include editor's notes and paraphrased reports.