The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-17

nessee, Springer Of Illinois and Miller of
alton, but johnson vii probably be con-
ceded the leadership of the new movement
because Of his Oft-repeated assertion that
to the violation of that principle was
solely due his defeat in the memorable
Senatorial contest in North Dakata.
VARIOUS PLANS, PROPOSED.
The House Committee on the Election of
President, Vice President and Representa-
tiyes at a meeting to-day gave special at
tention to the various propositions. The
joint resolution, which Miller urged, pro-
poses a constitutional amendment giving
one United States Senator to each State prI-
marily, and an additional Senator for each
100000 of inhabitants, all to be elected di-
rectiy by the people. Miller cOntended that
the smaller States have a disproport0n-
ately large representation in the Senate, and
his scheme would secure more equitable
representation. The other speakers di-
rected their arguments generally to the
broad question of the advisabiity of the
election Of Senators by direct vote of the
people. Corporate influences, it was urged.
were too potent factor in the election Of
Senators by Legislatures Attention WAS
called to the frequency Of the charges of
corruption and bribery made during and
subsequently to the election of Senators.
VIEWS OF THE COMMITTEE.
Powers of Vermont asked if popular cleo
tions might not result in sending less able
men to the Senate.
Enl0e said it might possibly occur occa-
Sionally, as it sometimes did in all public
elections, that men OfinferiOr capacity might
be elected to the Senate, but the country
l. L.. - 1,
six years than 10 have q corrupt ScOundrel.
Bryan's amendment proposes that the
Senators be elected by direct vote only in
such States as. through their proper egsla-
tive machinery, decide to elect Senators in
this manner, while EnlOe aud Johnson pro-
pose that the method be compulsory as to all
States.
johnson stated that he was the Republican
caucus nominee for United States Senator
at the last Senatorial election in his State,
but was defeated by corrupt combination
He was approached by the attorney for a
railway corporation and told that to make
his election certain il was necessary
that he give the assurance that he
would favor a certain man as Judge
for that district. The attorney said the rail-
way had secured the election of seven or
eight members of the Legislature and CON
trOlled their votes. johnson said he did
not consider it honorable to enter into a
assurance asked. and the result was that he
was defeated. Iet, at the time, he was the
acknowledged choice of the people of his
State for United States Senator, as well as
the choice of his party, and would have
been elected but for the peoples will being
thwarted by corrupt corporate influences.
The committee then adjourned until next
week
NEW RULES FOR THE HOUSE.
The Democratic members of the Commit
tee on Rules and the Speaker had a confer
ence this afternoon on the subject Of a new
code OF rules. One change under consider
alton, having in view the checking of fill
clustering tactics, seeks the abolition of the
practice OF defeating measures on "suspen-
sion Mondays" by introducing long bills
and calling for their reading in fun. An
other proposed modification is the adoption
of the Reed rule constituting 100 members
as n quorum of the Committee of the Whole,
but it is an open question whether or not
this rule will be recommended. There will
be- however, some definition of dilatory mo-
tions, and the practice of counting quorum
will find no place In the new rules.
PROTECTING THE PRINTING BUSINESS.
Representative Scott of Illinois has in
trOduced a bill prohibiting the POstoffice
Department selling stamped envelopes bear
ing the usual pointed request for return
to the owner after limited period. "Under
the present law" said Scott, "the Govern
ment is a direct competitor wiki every print
ing-houSe in the country. 1t is an unwar-
ranted tresDaSs by the Government upon
the private business of every printer in the
United States Many millions of dollars
annually are by this act taken from the
printing business. This does not seem fair
or Just. The Government should take its
hands off and not oppTeSs one of the great
est and most important industries of our
country"