Telegram-herald., 1890-07-24

hasty consideration Of the question
whsthsr IL Is not TO the best in terests of
this Nation that Senators be elected by
the peopie
First then. 10 Is necessary only TO
direct attention. 10 tho fact that the
present mode Of elecrtng Senators was
adopted not because 1t had any symme-
triKing eject bat because it was an ac-
eeptable com mprornise-rniddle ground
upon which the advocates OF many.
various plans could stand together.
These divergent opinions ranged al the
way from the aristocratic OF monarchi-
cal notion that Senators should be-
chosen by the President OF the United
States 70 the democratic idea that they
should Dc elected by the people.
IL can not, therefore. bs said that the
adoption Of this compromise made was
any part OF a preconceived plan 70
make the system symmetrical. Indeed.
f. IS difficult 10 soc what relation any
mode oi electing United States Senators
can have TO the symmetry OF our form
OF government since. whatever mode
might De adopted. the form 9r gocera-
uleas would remain the same The
Senate would represent the States in
their sovereign. or political capacity. no
less II the Senators were elected by the
people OF the States than IL does now
that they-are elected by the State Leg
islatures. Tho functions OF the two
houses of Congress would remain the
same and the ratio OF State representa-
tion In the Senate would be unchanged.
In the minds OF many sincere men
every proposition 70 amend the consti
tuition OF the United States seems 20 be-,
AZ not positive sacrilege, at least an
attempt 20 question the wisdom OF the
men who framed the great charter. But
this Is wholly unreasonable.
It Is nearly one hundred and three
years since that constitution was
formed and. while as fundamental
charter OF government IL stands unex-
celled. it must not be said that tho
Gdded wisdom OF a century, the changed
conditions Of things, the improved
opinions OF men upon the question OF
the political and personal rights Of the
masses. and the altered conditions in
tho mental. moral and social status Of
the Nation and Of the people OF the sew
sral States give us no warrant for sug-
gesting advisable and important
changes In tho fundamental lax. Al
ready fifteen changes have been made;
and who to-day wili say they we're not
well advised2 Tea OF them were pro-
posed By the first Congress. two years
after the forming Of the constitution
Indeed. the trainers OK this great char
ter. foreseeing the necessity that would
arise for alterations in II, made pro-
vision for them sad prescribed the
mode By which they should be made.
IL. then. IL be % the best interests %
the Nation that the people OK tho
several Statos be permitted TO have di-
rect voice IN the selection OF United
States Senator'S. there - no reason why
the constitution should not be so amend
cd
Members of the National House OF
Representatives ard United States soma
tors. as also the President OF the United
States. are. under our system, recognized
"a elective officers "a con;radistinguish-
ed from those-Federal judges, FOR ex-
ample-tha. arc appointed Ia al cleo
tive officers each Individual voter has a
special interest which it Is presumed he
has right 90 represent az the ballot
bOx- That right 80 is submitted should
not be charged with restrictions which
prevent its full fair and effective ever
else. What the citizen Is permitted TO
do indirectly and through the means Of
proxy be should BE permitted 70 do
directly and in lis own right and IN bis
own proper person.
One great objection 90 the present
system 0f eicc.inT senator's bT the Leg
islatures % The respective States =
that che power and righ, q The indi-
dividuai voter are hedred sbout snd
circumscribei hls viii ls u1auacled. MS
voliuon paraiyssd lie can nos vote for
his choice Hs car not In fact. voto
directly a. AL. hut must content hin1sel I
With casting vote for mem hers - The
Iegisiarnre who na7 or nsT not proper
II Represent his wishes in the vote the7
cast Tor Senator The system is unre-
publican. uot democrats. sud vicious
in al respects T. carries With y. "a
have said aron tbe foo- % the Senate,
the Implication hat the people, ths
1uaiiaed voters - state. ara for some
re1scn unit fsr the flil exercise - tha
elective franchise IN the choice 81 htga
Government ofsicialS sxcept Ia a ansii'