The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-19
OF THE PEOPLE.
------e----
United States Senators Would Be
If They We're Elected by
the People.
Able Speech by Senator Palmer
Supporting Such a Constitu-
tional Amendment. !
The People Have Lost Confidence in state
Legislatures Doiph Is In Accord
With Palmer

ment to tho constitution l propose ii
adopted the members of the senate of the
United States will be chosen bv direct yotf
Of the free people of the several states
and it will be what it never yet has been
the popular branch of the congress of the
United States" These were the words Of
Senator Palmer Ill.) in his speech in the
senate to-day, urging the election Of
United States senator's by popular vote,
and his arraignment of the upper house oi
congress as a nonpopular body was in lam
Ruage not often heard by the venerable
members of that dignified assembly. Sen.
ator Palmer opened his speech by saying
that in urging the amendment he only
obeyed the instructions given him in the
most iinpr essive manner by the people 81
Illinois. The senator reviewed briefly the
Douglass and Lincoln senatorial contest in
Illinois, and then detailed tho successive
steps and declarations made BY the democ-
racy of Illinois in regard to this subject,
which finally led to the democratic triumph
in that state and the election of him
self as the representative Of that princi-
pie to the United States senate. The
senator insisted that the constitutional
mode Of slecting senators by the legisla-
lures Of the state is no longer satisfactory
to tho American people. He did not mean
to make himself responsible for charges Of
bribery and undue influence that attended
nearly every senatorial election by endors-
ing or repeating any of them. He referred
to them in that slight manner only to en-
phasize his statement that the people no
longer confded in, but were profoundly
distrustful Of, the methods of electinp SEN
ators by state Legislatures.
None of the reasons which led the franz
ers of the constitution to deprive the peo-
pie Of direct control of the executive de-,
partment and Of the senate now existed.
Experience had long ago demonstrated tho
uRelessness of electors for the selection of
president and vice-president. Wealth in
vested in commerce, in manufactures, il
railways. forests and mines, demanded leg
islation forslts protection or its benefit, and
its political power, whsther employed III
congress or state legislature rarely
failed Of success. All that the people
could gain by the proposed amendment
would be enlarged powers of self Defense
Senators would be the true and exact rem
Of the people and defend their
homes and property from unequal and ex-
cessive burdens. They would dignity the
states. for the people we're the states.
Elections for the choice Of presidential
electors; elections of members of n legisla-
ture who elect senator's: elections of mem
bers OF the house of representatives in con-
sress, y said the senator, ''are alike influ-
snced and often controlled by an unfair
of districts. If the amend
mont to the constitution which propose is ,,
adopted. members of the senate will be
chosen by direct vote of the free people of
5he several states, and the senate will be
what it never yet has been. the popular
branch of the congress of the United |
States"
Senator Mitchell (Ore.) said he had lis
ened with pleasure to the able remarks of |
he senator from Illinois. He (MitchelD
lad had the honor of introducing similar
proposition in 1888 and one at the present
essIon. Similar amendments were also |
Introduced by senators from Indiana and
New Hamrshire (lurpie and Chandler). |
III these propositions were referred to the |
committee OH privileges and elections and |
~ that committee 10 sub committee COM
,osed of Senators Chandler, Iurpic and
himself, and he was Rratitied to be able to
tate that after consultation majority of
hat sub committee had agreed to report in
avor of such amendment to the constitu-
ion. 1t was their hope and belief that at 81
cry early day the full committee on priv
leges and elections would be able to report
avorably an amendment similar to the one
Introduced by the senator from Illinois.
Dolph moved to take from the calendar
nd pass the bill extending for ten years
Avs preventing the introduction of
Jhinese, but Hawley objected. 1t was, he
aid, bill Of extraordinary severity ana
% wished at least time to read it. Dolph
ave notice that he would call it up at an
arly day.
PETER, Perkins, Morrill,. Allison, Hale.
Daniels Dolph and Turpie delivered
uloges on the late Senator Plumb.