John Randolph in the House in 1807: If the constitution had meant (as was contended) to have settled the qualifications of members. its words would have naturally run thus: "Every person who has attained the age of twentyfive years. and been seven years a citizen of the United States. and who shall. when elected. be an inhabitant of the State from which he shall be chosen. shall be eligible to a seat in the House of Representatives." But so far from fixing the qualifications of members of that House. the constitution merely enumerated a few disqualifications within which the States were left to act. It is said to the States. you have been in the habit of electing young men barely of age. you shall send us none but such as are five and twenty. Some of you have elected persons just naturalized. you shall not elect any to this House who have not been some seven years citizens of the United States. Sometimes mere sojourners and transient persons have been clothed with legislative authority. You shall elect none whom your laws do not consider as inhabitants.
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