The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-16
MlTCHELL'S PLAN.
Election Of Senators by the
People.
The Advantages Claimed for the Direct
Vote Plan.
Proposed Amendment 10 the Constitution.
The Reforms That Would Be Accom-
pliShed-A Popular Movement.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

ator Mitchell says:
nave looked into this subject with care
When the framing of the Constitution was
peing discussed at Philadelphia in 1887. one
Oh the plans proposed for the election Of the
senators was their choice by the people.
IhiS was not adopted, because it was feared
that IL would give the people too much
power. We had not entirely thrown off our
British training and prejudices then. Ali
SORTS OF propositions were discussed, from
the naming of Senators by the President,
which was a stride toward monarchy, to
their election by the people, which was pure
democracy. The discussion was so vigorous
that 1t threatened 10 dissolve the convention.
Inc system that we now follow was COM
promise in every sense of the word.''
do you not find considerable objection TO
any tlnkerins with the COnstitution?"
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
OF course there are some people who
say that 1t is wise to let we'll enough alone.
No man can excel me in praise for the
Constitution. 1t has stood the tests of
century unscathed by civil contention, un-
harmed by fires of iEternecine war, and, as
whole, stands pre-eminent, second to none
III wisdom and architectural strength and
beauty among all uninspired productions of
the world. But does At follow from this
tnat neither the wisdom Of 100 years altered
the condition of things. nor yet the changed
opinions of-men, nor the changed condi-
tons IN the mental, moral and social status
OF the people of the nation. as compared
Win century ago, should not suggest ad-
Vlsaoie and important changes in our ma
tlonal charter? Already fifteen changes
nave been made in the Constitution and
every one will agree that they were all well
advised. that they have opened wider the
doors OF individual liberty and enlarged the
sphere of human rights"
What would be gained by the election of
Senators by the people"
THE DIRECT VOTE" ADVANTAGES.
In the first place. we would avoid all
scandal, which sometimes attaches to the
Legislature that is said to be bribed. No
man could bribe whole State. We would
avoid frequent deadloeks, where the power
Is given to one member of the Legislature to
cast deciding vote for Senator. We would
avoid the great waste of time on the part of
the Legislature In electing Il Senator when
matters OF vital interest TO the State are lost
sight OF, aud frequently so much time is
consumed III choosing q Senator that i'm
p0rtant State legislation has to be post
poned. 1t would also do away with the
voter cannot vote for his choice. He can
not, in fact. vote directly at all, but must
content himself with casting vote for meIn-
bers of the Legislature who may or may not
properly represent his wishes in the vote
they may cast for Senator. The system is
unrepublican, not democratic and vicious in
all respects.
A POPULAR MEASURE.
1t car ries with it an implication that the
people, the qualified voters Of the State, are
for some reason unfit for .he full exercise of
the elective franchise in the choice of bieh
Government officials. except in qualified
and largely restricted sense. 1t is in practi-
cal purpose and effect declaration that for
some occult reason, which is in no way made
manifest, 1t IS unsafe and prejudicial to pub
lie interests to commit the election Of Sena-
tors to a vote of the people,"
"Do you believe that the change you are
seeking to secure will be effected ?"
u have every reason to believe it will
There is great unrest in the public mind on
this question. Popular opinion has taken
hold OF the subject and the demand for
change is as pronounced as it is imperative.
The eelief in the public mind Is rapidly
gaining that proper Difference is not given
by the Senate of the United States to the
demands and interests of the peo pie, and
that this is largely due to the fact that
Senators do not owe their positions TO the
people who are permanent. but TO the Legis-
latures, which are tralsitory. 1t is quite
immaterial as to whether this belief in the
public minds is we'll founded or otherwise.
1t exists, and there is, IN my judgment. but
one means of removing it, and that is by a
change in the mode of electing Senators, by
which the qualified electors of each State
shall have the right to vote directly for their
choice for Senator"
CULLoM's CAR-CoUPLER BILL.
Senator Cnllom's bill for the adoption and
use OF uniform standard car-cOupler pro-
vldes Tor the regulating of the operation
anu control OF freight trains used in inter-
state commerce, and for the greater safety
OF railroad employees. 1t also provides tn t
all common carriers, whose duties include
the coupling OF cars, and who are members
OF established organizations, and their rail.
way employees, may, within six months
after the passage Of this act, vote upon
choice OF automatic car-coupler. Such
coupler may be of vertical type; must be so
devised as to couple by impact, and dispense
with any person going between the cars to
couple or uncOupe. Every common car
rier is to be entitled to one vote for every
IreiRhtcar owned. leased or controlled, and
the employees will be entitled in the aggre-
gate to one-third as many votes as may be
cast by all the common carriers.
COUNTING THE VOTES.
The Interstate Commerce Commission is
to have the power to decide the validity of
the votes cast If not less than 600 600 votes are
cast. and the entire vote for any particular
coupler be not less than 100000. The COM
mission shall certify these facts to the
president. who shall issue a proclamation
declaring the coupler chosen to be the
standard safety car-coupler for use in inter-
state commerce. In case no choice Is made
the President shall appoint commission of
hve competent persons to determine the
coupler best to be used. All carriers must
equip at least 10 per cent each year of the
number OF freight-cars used. and also equip
every engine with a drving-wheel brake.
Inc commissioners shall invite bids from
the inventors OF couplrrs. stating what they
Will accept from the United States for their
patents, and upon the purchase Of the
patent by the Government the coupler may
1e used or manufactured by anybody free.
The salary of the Commissioners is fixed at
$4,000 year.
AMENDING INTERSTATE COMMERCE. ACT
Senator Cullom also introduced a bill
amendatory Of the Interstate Commerce Act,
providing that schedules. tariffs and agree
ments between railroads fl ed with the com
mission be prima facie evidence in the in
yestlgatlons by the commission and In all
Judicial proceedings; that the production of
testimony shall be according to the estab-
llsled rules Of evidence obtaining In the
Chancery sides of Circuit Courts, with the
exception that answers Of the defendants to
the answers Of the complaints shall have no
weight as evidence. On an appeal to the
Circuit Courts the hearing shall be confined
to the record presented from the com mis-
sion, except where party has right to
trial by jury under the Constitution.
ENCOURAGING SILK CULTURE.
Senator Mitchells bill for the encourage
ment OF the silk culture industry in the
United States provides for a chief Of the
silk culture division Of the Agricultural De-
partment, the establishment of silk culture
experimental stations in any State where
suitable buildings shall be built and fifteen
acres OF ground nlautp6 th mn Ihorrv fraao
for rearing the silk worms and for furnish
ing seed and cuttings to farmers, TO the
amount of 1000 to each, the additional trees
wanted by the same farmer to be charged at
the rate of $40 per 1000. The experimental
stations are to be supplied with silk reeling
machines, etc. The salary of the chief Of
tho division and the General Superinten-