Virginia and New Jersey Plans
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan recommended a National Legislature consisting two branches. That the members to constitute the first branch be elected by the people for a term of three years, that those members be disqualified from taking up other state offices or any offices under the authority of the United States that were not related to their legislative functions and the ban be extended to one year after the expiry of their legislative term. The second legislative branch be chosen by individual legislatures, occupants be of the age of 30 years and above, and serve in their legislative capacities for a sufficient period of time to ensure their independent. The Plan proposed that these members serve for a term of seven year and be excluded from ascending to any other offices save for those offices related to their work as legislators during the period of service and a year after the expiration of their terms. It proposed that representation in the National Legislative branches be subject to some equitable ratio of representation proportionate with the populations of individual states.
The Plan proposed that the two legislative branches possess the right to originate Acts, that the national legislature be accorded all legislative rights and to have the power to legislate in areas where individual states were not competent to legislate such as where the harmony of the United States may be interrupted by the dual legislation, laws relating to Articles of Union and Treaties under the Union’s authority. Further, the Plan suggested that the National Legislature be given power to admit new states.
The Executive
The Virginia Plan proposed a National Executive to be headed by a single person to be chosen by the national legislature, to serve for a seven-year term with the power to execute national laws, appoint persons to executive offices, and could be removed through impeachment, conviction of misconducts, or neglect of responsibilities. It proposed that the National Executive retains veto power over any Legislative Act but such Act could be passed by two thirds support in both Legislative branches.
The Judiciary
The Plan proposed the creation of a National Judiciary consisting of a supreme tribunal and judges to be appointed by the second legislative branch. It further proposed that the national legislature be permitted to appoint inferior tribunals. That the jurisdiction of the National Judiciary be restricted to matters of collection of national revenue, impeachment of people serving in national offices, and matters affecting the national peace and harmony.
It recommended an extended term of Congress, their authorities and privileges. It proposed the republican constitution and its existing laws to be guaranteed in all states. The Plan suggested establishment of an article that would facilitate the amendment of the Articles of Union and that the legislature, Executive, and Judiciary be bound by oath to support the Articles of Union.
The New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan proposed that the Articles of Confederation be revised, corrected, and enlarged to warrant the sufficiency of the federal constitution to the needs of the Government and to ensure the preservation of the Union. The Plan recommended that all states be accorded equal representation in the Congress.
New Jersey Plan proposed single legislative division and that Congress be given authority to raise funds through tariffs and take other actions to regulate the interstate trade and trade with other countries. It also proposed that Congress be given power to collect taxes from every state according to their populations and the power be approved through the consent of the majority of the states. It proposed that state courts should adjudicate cases arising from authority of Congress and Federal Judiciary to hear appeals.
The Executive
It proposed a Federal Executive consisting of few persons to serve for a fixed period, be banned from serving in other office during their period of service, be ineligible for re-election, and congress to have power to impeach the executive office holders following a request from a majority of the states.
The Judiciary
The Plan proposed establishment of a supreme tribunal of judges whose members should be appointed by the Executive. That the tribunal should have the power to preside over federal impeachment cases. The Plan also proposed that the supreme tribunal be the umpire for all federal matters arising from treaties, crimes in the high seas, and rights of ambassadors and that the tribunal should hear matters by way of appeal.
The Plan proposed that all the Treaties made and ratified by the National Executive and the Articles of Confederation be the supreme law of the land and the National Executive be assigned powers to use force where necessary to coerce states to comply with the Articles of Confederation and Treaties.
Further, the New Jersey Plan proposed formation of a new policy to admit new states, that a single policy be adopted with regard to naturalization in all the states, and that every state through their laws be allowed to prosecute citizens from other states provided that the crime was committed in that state.
References
Madison Debates June 13: In Committee of the Whole. Retrieved from
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_613.asp
Madison Debates June 15. Retrieved from
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_613.asp
