The longest (over a month) and most contentious debate involved the structure of the legislature. Although a consensus on the bicameral model was achieved fairly quickly, the convention bogged down over the method of representation . The original proposal had both houses elected based on population districts. This plan was opposed by the small states who felt their interests would be dominated by the large states. On the opposite side were those who pointed out the failings of the Articles of Confederation due to deadlocks created from a system which allowed only one vote per state. A compromise was eventually reached when the delegates agreed to set up an equal number of senators for each state and only use the district method for electing representatives.
You are viewing a single comment's thread from: