The state herald., 1890-04-11
POPULAR ELECTION AHD THE D. S. SENATE.

One Of the stock demands of the
Farmers Alliance is that United States
Senutors should be chosen directly by
the people, and not by the Legisla-
lures. The general air surrounding
the demand and pervading it would
indicate That its advocates look upon
it rs a change which could be effected
easily If only majority of the people
wanted it. On the contrary, IL is IA
practical impossibillity, or the next
thing to it.
The first section of the first article
of the Constitution of the United States
reads that "the Senate of the United
States shall be composed Of two Senat-
ors from each State, chosen by the Leg
islature thereof, for six years, and
each Senator shall have one vote.''
Right or wrong the legislative feature
Of the case is imbedded in the organic
law of the Nation. 1t is true that the
Constitution can he amended, but not
by bare majority of both houses of
Congress 20 initiate a movement for Il
Constitutional change. or the applica-
tiun Of the Legislatures Of two thirds
of the States. In the latter casea con-
vention would be called. Such con-
yention has never yet been held, and
so far MS we recall no considerable
movement in that direction was ever
made The only method practically H.
dopted for amending the Constitution
has been for Congress, instead Of the
States and II convention. to take the
initiative. But in either case the umend-
ment proposed must be ratified by
three-fouiths of the State Legisla-
lures or by conventions in three fourths
OF the States. This three -fourtlis clause
is almost prohibitory IN all ordinary
cases.
It may he said in answer to this lat
ter claim that no less than fifteen
amendments have been adopted. But
ii must be remembered tina, these H.
mendmenis. with one exception, be-
longing to two exceptional periods in
the history of the country, periods
which can hardly be expected 10 ever
repeat themselves. The first batch was
submitted and adopted almost immedi-
ately after the Constitution itself was
adopted, so soon MS TO be the direct
result OF the agitation. Not Only so,
but they may be said to have carried
out the tacit understanding and pled-
ges under which the adoption Of the
Constitution WAS secured The friends
of the more perfect union virtually
said 10 the objectors to the Constitu-
tion that II they would allow It's adopt
ion as submitted they would pledge
their homer as gentlemen that the oh.
jections made should be obyiated by
the adoption Of amendments embody-
Ing the ideas Of the objectors. In this
way the first supplemental batch came
into existence. That was before party
lines had been drawn. and when the
majority WAS anxious to conclia,e the
minority.
The second batch belong to the re-
construction period when the Rcpubll.
cans had everything their own way. A
few days ago Ex-Governor English, Of
Connecticut. Joined the majority
and the most notable thing brought
out IN his obituaries was the fnct that
he WINS ut one time the only Democrat
ic Governor In the United States. With
that one lone exception every State was
Republican. or course during such u
period as thnt II WINS ensy to secure
constitutional amendments. II is n
matter Of surprise that only three n
mendmcnis date from that period.
EyIdently the Republican party Is con.
scryaiive .a.i'rr than radical.
We have Ken Of the two patches
/ W Nh'nhiH'llhs WV llINt NTllcl'h \ Nnu
IL, inclusive; The second articles ~ aud
10, inclusive. This leaves the twelfth
TO stand out ns exceptional. The
twelfth relates TO the method Of elect.
Ing Presidents and Vice Presidents.
aud was the result Of the prca, scare
when jefferson and Burr were n tie.
Both belonged 10 the same party. the
Democratic, then known M the liepnb-
lican, and the complication WIS there.
fore essentially outside Of party lines.
bringing the ense, virtually, upon the
sane plume, politically speaking, as the
other amendments.
From nll these facts II viii DO seen
TINT under ordinary circumstances m
amendment TO the Constitution of the
United States Is not practicable. IN
this .caHc their is not Likely to bc n
pafly issue raised, but TO secure n two-
thirds vole IN Congress and three.
foufths vote IN the Legislatures Is n
double play. 10 bc listed as only n 10.
mote possibility. The Farmers Allinn.
co would do well 10 reserve nli liz cH.
cigics foi practicable reforms.