New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-13
THE ELECTION OF SENATORS
MR.. CHANDLER ON THE PROPOSED CON-
STITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
HIS OBJECTIONS TO CHOICE by POPULAR VOTE
A POINTED AND SARCASTIC SPEECH.
rar TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

today's session in a rather academic but nevertheless
highly interesting discussion OF the proposed amena
ment to the Federal Constitution providing FOR the
election Of United States Senators by the popular vote
Senators Turpie Mitchell and Palmer had already
made speeches earlier In the session In favor OF
change from elections by the Legislatures to eiecnons
directly by the people. Senator Chandler took the
floor to-day to defend the present method, and TO
oppose as needless and dangerous any such violent
alteration Of political conditions in this country os
would be necessarily involved in the proposed changes
Mr. Chambers speech was full OF pointed ana
sarcastic criticism Of the ostensiby disinterested
efforts OF the advocates Of the amendment to raise
the standard Of Senatorial character and to expel
nom the "delberahve branch OF Congress that
millionaire element which 1t is popular afectatlon
IN believe has in recent years largely inrcnched
itself there This war against the millionaire, he
said could be carried on more cnectlveY by oon
stitutiona amendment which he himself offered, abo-
ishing altogether the right TO become excessively
rich In serious and practical view, sub
seouently, he pointed out that the election OF
ecnntors by popular vote would lead inevitably
N the election OF all United States officers by
popular and would necessarily put the
whole machinery of elections under Federal control
No one said, could complain OF the results OF the
present system as shown in the character ana mem
bershp OF the Senate the hundred Of It's ex-
istence. The disposition to urge this particular cleo
toral reform seemed to him. and very senssly almost
Nnical when so much remained to be done 10 ere
vate popular suffrage ccntemptuously uamped upon
as II is now in many States in the South, ana threat
ened with degradation in many Northern states by inc
constant influx OF ignorant foreigners personal
flavor highly rclisled by the Senate, was gwen 10 o
debate by Mr.. Chambers many lively references 70
Mr. Palmer's recent speech the same subject anu
the venerable Illinois senator's replies.
Mr. Chambers first objection was that the change
would be sure TO result in the Adoption OF reuei'n
election law That might not be so great an opecuoh
Cbomberthose Senators who had hitherto opposed the
aiHntton of Federal Election law. lie regarded the
extension Of the system OF popular eecuo"S W 'no
choice of United states Senators as sure 10 result III
tho taking possession Of the eiecuon naohlhf'
nv Federal officials appointed by the NATIONAL
Government. The proposed amendment OF inc
Constitution would not stop with committing 10
popuar election the choice OF United states senators.
Indeed il almost absolutely certain 'An'
adopted II would be followed by PROVISIONS LOT ''e
choice Of President and VicePresdent by tie eoPis'
These two movements going on par passu II
ANYTHING had become obsolete in the Constitution, ~
WAS the theory that the President and VicePresiaent
should be chosen by electors appointed In the several
States Whenever the President and Nice-Presldent
were chosen by the people 1t would he entirely posi-
BILE for one State (New York. for insance) TO swell
lis vote enormously by fraudulent methods or by
other methods absolutely fraudulent so as 10 over
come the votes Of other states
His second objection was that 1t was the beginning
M an innovation. II would be the first fundamental
change the Federal Constitution concerning the Ma
tional frame Of Government Lord Macaulay had said
that was a characteristic Of the Ango-SaXon race
never TO remove an anomaly merely because IL Is an
anomaly never 10 insist on change unless some
grievance was alleged. There had been no grievance
shown by the Senator'S who had addressed the Sen
ate-Messrs. Mitchell Turpio and Palmer IL was
not intimated that with election by the people
the Senate would have contained more distinguished
men than had contained for the last hundred years
The only suggestion made In favor Of the proposed
change that wealthy men now got into the senate
There was a member Of the Senate not now present
alluding 10 Mr. STANFORD who had been elected tMr
Chandler believed by the free choice Of the people
Of his State He had previously been Governor OF his
State chosen by the people. Was there any reason
10 suppose that he would not have been elected TO the
Senate by majority OF the people Of his State? The
proposed constitutional amendment cowardly
way Of dealing with mlonaires. IL the country was
threatened by It's millIonares. the way TO deal with
them TO deal with them directly. lie had pre-
pared constitutional amendment which he would in
trduce and willing to support 1t follows:
An excessive accumulation Of wealth BY individuals
or corporations shan not be allowed congress snail
shall prohibit the issue by corporations Of stock ceti
fcates bonds other evidence OF Indebtedness
cep the sums expressed therein have boon paid into
the treasures OF the corporations and shall prohibit
the payment Of excessive dividends
Mr.. Mitchell said that be had acted in accordance
with the expressed views OF the Legislature OF his
State. ~ xs. III
Mr. Chandler undertook to SAY that the people Of
Oregon had not expressed such views because they
were dissatisfied with their Senatorial representatives.
and he would like 10 have the Senator contradict that
assertion. (Laughter)
Mr. Chandler went to speak OF the evil Of
caucus government and OF caucus nominations and 10
argue that the present system Of eecng Senators
much less liable 10 fraud and abuse lie then turned
his attention 10 Mr.. Palmer and his political record
finding special fault with allusi0p In Mr. Pnlners
speech some time ago 10 the last election Of General
MIR. Palmer disclaiIned any idea Of rejecting on
General Logan in that matter and gave short history
that OccasiJD-a Mpcancy In Democratic Legisla
tive district having "leen filed through the secret
candidacy unknown 10 the Democratic voters OF
Republican named Weaver who had gone through the
district as an insurance agent and been elected before
lie had not inmaed that General Logan had any
the present condition Of suffrage In the United Stats
He spoke Of the suppression Of popular suffrage IN
Louisiana and OF the degraded condition Of the VOers
In all the great cities OF the Union. a.,
remarks which MIR. Chandler had made, personal 10
himself, relating 70 his political history he 6rienv
Republican party when that party left It's own prn'
cpilcs and became iarin and protecuonlst party.
political Incident Witch resulted in General Logan's
last election 10 the senate He asserted that there
was no fraud in IT. He did not know whether Gen
eeral Logan knew anything about II or not. but he
knew that In all the long cOntroversy-frOm the mid
die Of January 70 MAY IB-it had never been In
simulated that there had been corruption fraud on
tue part OF anybody. In conclusion he said he was
not afraid OF submitting any question TO the people
whether It was the election Of Senator's the election
OF President.
The joint resolution with Mr. Chambers amend
ment was referred to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections
Mr. COOPER TESTIFIES AGAINST MR. RAUM
Washington, April 12.-Represenatve Cooper, OF
Indiana, to-day made n statement before the House
L. nd