Chapters 5-8 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 5: Opposition to Executive Salaries (June 2nd)

Ben Franklin thinks that government officers should not receive salaries. This will ensure that men who lust for power and money will tend not to seek office. Instead, it will be regarded as a duty. However, the motion is rejected as it is considered impractical.

Chapter 6: Opposition to a Unitary Executive (June 4th)

The delegates continue to debate whether the executive should be unitary or plural. The chapter contains George Mason's speech against unity. He continues to fear that the government will degenerate into monarchy with only one executive. He thinks we might adopt one for each region—North, South and Middle.

Chapter 7: Electing Representatives (June 6th)

The delegates debate how to elect members of the House. They debate as to whether state legislatures rather than the people should elect the...