The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-23
ELECTION OF SENATOR'S.

Another legislature, that of Indiana, has
approved the idea of the election of United
States Senators by popular vote and has
forwarded to Congress petition request
ing that constitutional amendment to that
effect be submitted to the respective states
There can no longer exist a doubt as to the
adoption of the amendment in the event of
its submission, as the majority Of the voters
in every state are heartily in favor of the
change. Almost every senatorial election
increases the feeling that the manner of
making up the upper branch of Congress is
all wrong-wrong in theory as well as in
practice. Look over the Senate and say
how many of the eighty eight men compos-
ing the body would be there if the choice
had been left to the voters of their re-
spective states The list would be small
indeed. Then take account of the member
ship and designate those who have not been
accused, either directly or Indirectly, of
buying their seats. These accuse
lions may not always be we'll
founded, and scme of them are un-
doubtedly SANDERS, but not a few of
the charges are too true. There are many
men in the Senate who are there because of
their millions and whose only qualification
for the duties consists of their immense
wealth. A few months ago leading editor
OF one OF our western states said publicly
that a senatorship from his state cost
100000. 1t has long been notorious that
the Nevada senatorships were for sale to
the highest bidder, and the man with the
longest purse has captured the prize.
Except in the south and in few states
where able men have such a hold upon the
affections Of the people that money cannot
displace them, the senatorships are things
Of bargain and sale, and only rich men can
buy. Fitness for the Office is not taken
into account by the legislators, nor do the
duties of the place trouble the occupant
who has bought aud paid for the title. The
Senators do not feel that they are respon
sible to anybody. They purchase and nav
in cash for what they get and that ends
the matter. They do not take the people
into account, for the people have had
nothing to do with the transaction. They
do not even consider the legislators until it
comes time for reelection, when the
pdll Ol 10 again pun VI Id ~
We are not saying that there are no 200 d
and pure men in the Senate. nor that there
are no able men there; but we do saw that
if the selection of the Senators were left 10
the voters of the states the percentage of
good men in the body would be increased.
and the Senators would be much ADLER as a
class, while closer attention to duty would
ho noiH tot
sent himself from the capital for weeks and
months at time, going away for pleasure
or to attend to his private affairs; he dares
not go away, because he knows his con.
stituents would hold him accountable for
the neglect, and at the next election would
repudiate him. The rich Senators 60 and
come at pleasure, in some instances being
absent for entire sessions There is no one
to say them nay, and they do not fear re.
Duke or reprimand, for they own the seats
having paid the price, and feel that it is
their right to wear the ''honorsn for six
years where they will.
In time the change will be made and the
people will choose their Senators as they
do their Representatives. The movement is
forward one and cannot be stayed. When
the change does come there will occur 9
wonderful transformation in the personne
OF the Senate. That branch of Congress
will not thereafter be spoken of as the rich
mems club, and brains will take the place
OF wealth. The man who grows suddenly
rich by fortunate speculation or striking
vein of silver or gold will not regard him.
self as entitled to Senatorship.
The people have set about the matter OF
bringing on this reform, and they will ac-
complish it, earlier, perhaps, than will be
pleasing to the millionaires.