PUBLIUS
1. New York has no council except for the single purpose of appointing to
offices; New Jersey has a council whom the governor may consult. But I
think, from the terms of the constitution, their resolutions do not bind
him.
2. De Lolme.
3. Ten.
E1. Two versions of these paragraphs appear in different editions.
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FEDERALIST No. 71
The Duration in Office of the Executive
From the New York Packet.
Tuesday, March 18, 1788.
HAMILTON
To the People of the State of New York:
DURATION in office has been mentioned as the second requisite to the
energy of the Executive authority. This has relation to two objects: to
the personal firmness of the executive magistrate, in the employment of
his constitutional powers; and to the stability of the system of
administration which may have been adopted under his auspices. With
regard to the first, it must be evident, that the longer the duration in
office, the greater will be the probability of obtaining so important an
advantage. It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be
interested in whatever he possesses, in proportion to the firmness or
precariousness of the tenure by which he holds it; will be less attached
to what he holds by a momentary or uncertain title, than to what he
enjoys by a durable or certain title; and, of course, will be willing to
risk more for the sake of the one, than for the sake of the other.
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