When the sessions were over, a lady asked Franklin: "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy ?" "A republic," replied the doctor, "if you can keep it." The increase of powers accruing to the executive office necessitated placing a corresponding check upon the exercise of those powers.

The obvious method was to render the executive subject to impeachment, and it was also readily agreed that his veto might be overruled by a two-thirds vote of Congress; but some further safeguards were necessary, and the whole question accordingly turned upon the method of his election and the length of his term.

In the course of the proceedings of the Convention, at several different times, the members voted in favor of an appointment by the national legislature, but they also voted against it.

Once they voted for a system of electors chosen by the State legislatures and twice they voted against such a system.

Three times they voted to reconsider the whole question.