4. Madison moved to strip power from the states in forming the Senate
Madison, with the support of Hamilton, favored longer terms for the members of the Senate, which represented the states, and shorter terms for the Representatives, who represented the people. The longer Senate terms reduced the influence of state legislatures on the upper house. The shorter terms of the House meant its Representatives had to face their constituents more frequently, ensuring the voice of the people was heard in the new government. Both Madison and Hamilton desired a powerful Senate, where reasoned debate would, in their view, prevent undo influence on federal laws by the raucous people. The Senate would be the house of statesmen; the House where the people’s needs and desires heard and acted upon. Any bill, passing in either house, required the approval of the other before it was sent to the executive to become law.
Once the makeup and relationship of the new Congress of the United States were agreed upon, the convention moved more rapidly. Debate over the creation of the executive branch was tempered by the fact that all present were aware the first President would be George Washington, as he was the most unifying man in America. Discussions over the Judiciary were similar less divisive. The Constitutional Convention lasted 100 days. When it was over the states were surprised to learn it had proposed an entirely new form of government. The debates of the convention were repeated in the legislatures of the states and in town meetings, taverns, churches, militia musters, and everywhere Americans gathered. Ratification of the document was far from assured. Madison and Hamilton decided to take their arguments directly to the people, via the free press of the United States.