Federal Farmer XI - Comfortable Senators
In Federal Farmer XI an Anti-Federalist author recommends changes to the US Senate.
“Men elected for several years, several hundred miles distant from their states, possessed of very extensive powers, and the means of paying themselves, will not, probably, be oppressed with a sense of dependance and responsibility.”
Federal Farmer XI
January 11, 1788
In Federal Farmer XI, the Anti-Federalist author finally moves on from the House of Representatives to begin lodging complaints against the US Senate.
Surprisingly, he finds a great deal agreeable with the Senate though, as expected, there are a number of changes he hopes will be made.
Surprisingly Agreeable
The Farmer begins this Paper discussing several of the things he likes about the construction of the Senate.
He likes that the States are represented equally, a format he believes to be truly federal.
He is also agreeable to the (since changed) structure of Senators being appointed by their States instead of elected. Not only does this give the States more power, but he also believes it to be more democratic, since the State Governments are elected more closely by the people.
Term Length
The Farmer then goes on to outline four items he would like to see adjusted regarding the Senate.
First, he takes issue with the length of a Senator's term in office.
He notes that six years in office will make a person too comfortable.
Instead, the Farmer suggests three or four year terms as long enough to keep the Government stable while keeping Senators dependent on the people they represent.
Recall
The Paper then moves on to recommend States be given the ability to recall Senators at any time.
This was not only the habit of the Continental Congress, but also of nations that sent Ambassadors around the world.
Furthermore, any respectable business that hired someone to carry out work as an agent would be able to fire that agent at any time.
Why would the States not have the same powers with their own representatives?
Rotation
The Farmer’s third suggestion is to add a function to the Constitution which establishes the rotation of Senators.
In an attempt to further the goals of shortening term length, he establishes that the Continental Congress only had Delegates permitted for 3 out of every 6 years.
This kept men from getting comfortable in their seats as well as opened up opportunities for more Delegates to find their way into office.
The author then suggests that Senators should only be permitted to serve a maximum of 4 out of every 6 years.
Officers
The Farmer’s fourth and final point of this Paper focuses primarily on treaties.
Though he has some doubts about this power, the author admits that he does not know of a better way to go about this. He is also encouraged that the House of Representatives has a say on commerce negotiations.
He does briefly, however, complain that the Senate is an improper body to consult on appointments to Executive Branch offices.
This series is only part of my regular publications, so…
If you want to keep up with all the Founders, make sure you subscribe to my daily newsletter here:
I’ve Got New Merch!
This fun, stylized Betsy Ross Flag is my new favorite.
It is just one of a handful of products I’ve begun offering recently.
If you see something you like, pick it up to support this site!
