The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-12-10
Ex-PREsIpENTs AS sENAToRs-AT
.,E Pit. LARGE.
senator Blaine Suggests Some objec-
lions.

A representative of the Boston Journal
had long conversation with. Senator Blaine
recently upon public topics, and gives the
following as the substance Of that portion Of
II relating to the proposition to make ex
Presidents members Of the Senate during
life:
al think, said Senator Blaine, I" that those
who are urging this innovation have not care
fully examined the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States In Its letter and spirit. II you
will look at clause defining the mode Of
amending that instrument, you will find
very remarkable exception made to the pow
or Of amendment. II Is specially provided
that mo State without lis consent shall ever
be deprived Of Its equal suffrage in the Sem
ste' This, you remember, was the guaran-
tee Of equality required by the smaller States
rs condition precedent to entering the
Union. On every other subject three-fourths
Of the States can amend the Constitution,
but equality inthe Senate cannot be changed
except BY unanimous consent.
al know" continued Senator Blaine, g II
may be contended that Presidents As Sem
aton-at-Large would be held to represent one
State rs much as another, and therefore there
would be no Interference with equal suf-
frage In the Senate; but that would be ,
mere theory. In practice and In fact the ex-
President would be third Senator from his
own State. A man Is not freed from the or
binary influences that govern human nature
by being made President. John Quincy
Adams was as much Massachusetts, Repre-
sentative during NIL the years he served in
the House from 1881 10 1913 rs any other
man from the State. And John Tyler, when
he came to the National Peace Congress in
1891, was as intensely yirginian In his SEN
tinments Is any delegate present. Andrew
johnson re-entered the Senate In 1875, after
he was President, just as thorough parti-
san rs he was before he was President
At this point the correspondent suggested
that at any one time there would be few en-
Presidents, and from advanced years each
one would remain in the Senate probably
only brief period. aa1a7 III
" But you forget said the Senator, /" the
plain facts Of history. Virginia had three
ex-Presidents living It one time. She would
not have had under the provision suggested
lens than thrcs Senators q any time between
JefEerpon's rstifenSnt in March, 1909. and
Madison's death In June, 1880. During Is
years Of that period she would have had four
senators, and for nearly year and half
five Senators.n
But" suggested the correspondent, srhe
old Virginia rule Of Presidents presented an
exception not likely to be repested."
aLook' q New York, = said Mr.. Blaine,
"at much later poliod. Mr.. Van Buren,
len thu Presidency In March, 1e4i. He died
In July, 1881. !. Meanwhile Mr.. Filmorc,s
term closed In 1858, and he lived TIM March,
1874. Thus under the proposed changs,New
York would have had three Senators contin-
uously for IS years, and for more than nine
years Of that period she would have had four
Scnaton.S ykn ~
"virginia Of course presents the strongest
case, for the life " John Tyler q ex-Presi-
dent u TO be given IN addition to those I have
cited. Mr.. Tyler died In the winter Of 1899. |
nearly II years amer he LEFT tho White House. |
Il would BE- curious to sum up the extra
years Of Eenatonhip which virginia would |
hsvs enjoyed had this provision been origin |
ally inserted In the Consultation. Wsshine-
ton, Jonsnon, Madison, Nonlus and Tyler. |
althoeether would have given more than o. |
years -equivalsnt % : third Senator from |
Virginia for two-thirds Of the lifetime of the