<P> The committee also shortened the president's term from seven years to four years, freed the president to seek re-election after an initial term, and moved impeachment trials from the courts to the Senate . They also created the office of the vice president, whose only roles were to succeed a president unable to complete a term of office, to preside over the Senate, and to cast tie - breaking votes in the Senate . The committee transferred important powers from the Senate to the president, for example the power to make treaties and appoint ambassadors . One controversial issue throughout much of the Convention had been the length of the president's term, and whether the president was to be term limited . The problem had resulted from the understanding that the president would be chosen by Congress; the decision to have the president be chosen instead by an electoral college reduced the chance of the president becoming beholden to Congress, so a shorter term with eligibility for re-election became a viable option . </P> <P> Near the end of the Convention, Gerry, Randolph, and Mason emerged as the main force of opposition . Their fears were increased as the Convention moved from Madison's vague Virginia Plan to the concrete plan of Rutledge's Committee of Detail . Some have argued that Randolph's attacks on the Constitution were motivated by political ambition, in particular his anticipation of possibly facing rival Patrick Henry in a future election . The main objection of the three was the compromise that would allow Congress to pass "navigation acts" with a simple majority in exchange for strengthened slave provisions . Among their other objections was an opposition to the office of vice president . </P> <P> Though most of their complaints did not result in changes, a couple did . Mason succeeded in adding "high crimes and misdemeanors" to the impeachment clause . Gerry also convinced the Convention to include a second method for ratification of amendments . The report out of the Committee of Detail had included only one mechanism for constitutional amendment, in which two - thirds of the states had to ask Congress to convene a convention for consideration of amendments . Upon Gerry's urging, the Convention added back the Virginia Plan's original method whereby Congress would propose amendments that the states would then ratify . All amendments to the Constitution, save the 21st amendment, have been made through this latter method . </P> <P> Despite their successes, these three dissenters grew increasingly unpopular as most other delegates wanted to bring the Convention's business to an end and return home . As the Convention was drawing to a conclusion, and delegates prepared to refer the Constitution to the Committee on Style to pen the final version, one delegate raised an objection over civil trials . He wanted to guarantee the right to a jury trial in civil matters, and Mason saw in this a larger opportunity . Mason told the Convention that the constitution should include a bill of rights, which he thought could be prepared in a few hours . Gerry agreed, though the rest of the committee overruled them . They wanted to go home, and thought this was nothing more than another delaying tactic . </P>

The two states plans that were proposed at the constitutional convention were the