AHC: "Perfect" Constitution

Very interesting. One caveat: the Speaker has never been obscure, its one of the most powerful positions in government.

No offence, but most of the suggestions here simply guarantee that the constitution won't be ratified, so unless you prefer the Articles of Confederation to continue, there's not a lot of point.

One change that might just be possible. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude to be permitted in any United States territories not forming part of a State, except as a punshment for crime --- provided that persons held as slaves in a foreign territory acquired by the United States may continue to be so held, but not descndants of such persons born after said territory becomes part of the United States".

In the short run, the effect will be very limited - perhaps limited enough that the South will swallow it as they swallowed the Northwest Ordinance. Places like Alabama, Louisiana and even probably Tennessee are pretty certain to become Slave States even if admitted as "Free". But Missouri might not, and when the Mexican Cession is acquired, there'll be no need for a Wilmot Proviso, as that will be in place already.

Otherwise, I'd confine myself to tidying up. Thus Presidential Electors would be appointed "By the Executive of each State, or in such other manner as the Legislature shall by law provide" so that New York could have voted in 1789 despite its Legislature's failure to agree on a method of election, and Pennsylvania would not thave had to artificially split its vote in 1800. Also, when the HoR was called upon to choose a President, each State should have two votes, and if its representation were equally divided between two persons, these should receive one vote each. That way, Jefferson defeats Burr on the first ballot, 18-14.

Finally, I would provide that in the event of the vacancy of both Presidency and Vice-Presidency, the Chief Justice, or if there were none (or either of the vacancies arose due to impeachment) then the longest-serving Associate Justice, should act as President, or such other officer, not being a member of either branch of Congress, as Congress shall by law determine. At some point, the succession may well get switched to the Cabinet Officers, but the important point is that the Speaker and President Pro-tem, obscure figures and not really suitable for the job, are specifically excluded.
 
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