 At the time of the Convention , they noted that local newspapers said little of current events , and what little they had was sketchy and dated . Local papers even said little about the meeting of the Convention . Alexander Hamilton proposed extending the term in office for senators to life , considering earlier proposals of four and seven years inefficient to enable the " rich and well born " to have a " distinct , permanent share in the government , " which could " check the imprudence of democracy . " Moreover , Hamilton proposed that senators not be elected directly by the general public , but by " electors " chosen for that purpose . 
