The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-19

tional mode OF electing Senators by the
Legislatures of the States was no longer
satisfactory to the American people. He
did not mean to make himself responsible
for the charges Of bribery aud undue influ-
ence that attended nearly every Senator
lal election by indOrsing or repeating
any OF them. lie referred TO them in that
slight manner only to emphasize the state
ment that the people no longer cOnfided in,
but were profoundly distrustful of, the
methods OF electing Senator'S by State Leg
lslatures. None of the reasons which led
the trainers of the Constitution to deprive
the people of the direct control Of the EX-
ecutiye Department and the Senate now ex-
isted. Experience had long ago demon
Strated the uSelesSneSS OF electors for the
selection of President and Vice-President.
The wealth invested in commerce, in manu-
factures, in railroads. forests and mines de-
manded legislation for its protection or its
benefit and its political power. whether
employed in Congress or in State Legisla-
ture, rarely failed of success. All that the
people could gain by the proposed amend
ment would be enlarged powers OF selt-de-
fense.
The Senators would be true and exact
representatives of the people and defend
their homes and property from unequal and
excessive burdens. They would dignity the
States; for the people were the States.
''Ihe elections for the choice OF Presidential
electors, the election of the members of the
Legislature who elect Senators, the election
Of members of the House Of .Representa-
tives in Congress-" said the Senator, ARE
alike influenced, and often controlled by the
unfair arrangement OF districts. II the
amendment TO the Constitution which pro-
pose is adopted hte members of the Senate
will be chosen by the direct vote Of the peo-
pie of the several States and the Senate will
be what it never yet has been-a popular
branch Of the Congress OF the United
States"
Senator Mitchell of Oregon said he had
listened with pleasure to the able remarks
of the Senator from Illinois. He (MitchelD
had the honor of introducing a similar prop
OsitiOn in 1883 aud one at the present ses-
sion. Similar amendments were also intro
duced by the Senators from Indiana and
New Hamps aud Chandler.
All these propositions were referred to the
Committee on Privileges and Elections, and
by that committee to subcommittee, COM
posed of Senators Chandler, Turpie and
himself, and he was gratllied to be able to
state that after consultation the majority
of that subcommittee had agreed to report
in favor of such an amendment to the Con-
stitutiOn. 1t was their hope and belief that
at very early day the full Committee on
Privileges and Elections Will be able to re-
port tavOrably an amendment similar to the
one introduced by the Senator from Illinois.
The subject then went over
D0lph moved TO take from the calendar
and pass the bill extending for ten years the
laws preventing the introduction OF Chinese,
but Hawley objected. 1t was, he said, a
bill of extraordinary severity, and he wished
at least time to read it.
Doph gave notice that he would call it
up at an early day,
PETER. Perkins, Morrill,, Allison, Hale,
Daniels, Dolph and Turpie delivered eulO-
gies on tie late Senator Plumb and the Sen
ate adjourned.