Cord Byrd: “214 years ago today, on July 16, 1787, the members of the Constitutional Convention agreed to what is known as the Great…”

“214 years ago today, on July 16, 1787, the members of the Constitutional Convention agreed to what is known as the Great Compromise. Edmund Randolph, on May 29, 1787, had introduced the ``Virginia Plan'', drafted by James Madison, which provided for a Senate and a House of Representatives and would replace the unicameral legislature under the Articles of Confederation. Randolph had described the plan as designed to promote ``peace, harmony, happiness, and liberty.'' Under the Virginia plan, both Houses of Congress would be apportioned by population, an arrangement that would favor larger states like Virginia, the State of Pennsylvania, the State of Massachusetts. On June 15, William Patterson had countered with the ``New Jersey'' plan, which was really a series of amendments designed to strengthen rather than replace the Articles of Confederation. Its supporters, representing the smaller States, worried that the Virginia Plan went too far in creating a central government and that it would diminish the power of the individual States. However, the Delegates rejected the New Jersey Plan and committed themselves to the creation of a new form of government.”