Edwin Vu
Professor Manny Ontiveros
Political Science G180
8 September 2016
Description of Three Proposals
On May 25, 1787, the Philadelphia Convention was held with the purpose to fix certain problems and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. For example, the Articles of Confederation lacked the power to tax and regulate trade which made it unable to maintain government functions and services and helped contribute the economic depressions that occurred during the 1780s. However, it became apparent to the delegates of the convention that modifying the Articles of Confederation would not be enough; it had to be scrapped completely and be replaced with a constitution that has a stronger federal government with greater powers like taxation.
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The inferior tribunal would hear the lighter cases that does not involve nation while the supreme tribunal would hear cases of national interest like piracy. In order to keep a check on the legislature, the executive and judicial branch would form a Council of Revision that can review the laws and legislations passed by the legislature in case of conflicts with state law. Finally, each state would be able to send a certain number of representatives based on their population to the legislature. In other words, the most populous states would send the most representatives to the legislature which is equivalent to having the most influence and power over the proposed legislature, not to mention the executive and judicial branch. Unsurprisingly, this plan was mostly advocated by states with large populations like …show more content…
The plan proposed some amendments, revisions, corrections and changes to address the problems and weaknesses of the Article of Confederation in dealing with national problems. It called for a unicameral legislature with each state having equal numbers of representatives regardless of size or population. Along with the powers already given by the Articles of Confederation, the legislature would gain some more power such as the ability to create new tariffs, duties, other taxes, and regulations on trade. The legislature would also be elect an executive that would serve for a fixed period of time, and the executive can be removed from office through a majority vote of governors from the states if petitioned. The executive would enforce federal acts, appoint people for required tasks in the federal government, and be in charge of the military. The executive would also have the power to appoint members of the judiciary, and the judiciary would consist of one tribunal that will oversee any violations of federal law. Finally, the plan also has a supremacy clause in which the laws and treaties passed by the legislature would override and be superior to the laws and treaties passed by the States when in conflict with each other. It further confirmed and specified that each state has the same power regardless population and