Rock Island daily Argus., 1892-01-21
senators by Popular vote

Dubuque Telegraph
The election u L nit, q St4tes senator BY
popular vote instead of by the legislature
of each state is reform demanded by
the organizations of farmers and artisans
throughout the country aud by the ma
jority In several states, notably Iowa and
Illinois. In the latter state a poll in the
state election showed the majority Of the
electors TO be IN favor of the reform
and the choice OF that majority. Gen
Palmer, was subsequently chosen United
States senator by a cemOcTaticylegislat
legislature that was democratic because
it had been eli cled on that issue. Gen.
Palmer will lead the agitation in congress
this winter for a constitutional amend
ment providing for the election of ULited
States senators By popular vote. The
senate was designed as a check upon
hasty legislation. The Old theory was that
this was government of checks and
balances and that the senate would pro
tect the people from themselves, from the
cslsmitous results which would otherwise
follow their ill>considered acts. This
theory was founded in distrust
of popular government. 1t was a
compromise between monarchy and
democracy. Experience has shown it to
be false and mischievous theory. 1t has
shown that the people are right as rule
and that the 81 nate stands not for the pub
lie welfare but for private Interests to
which and not to the whole people many
OF its members are bound. Payne bought
his election in Ohio. 1t was cheaper to
buy il from the legislature than from the
people. johnson, of Dakota, who now
leads the sgitstion for this reform in the
house, though the republican CAUCUS
nominee for United States senator, was
defeated because he would not pledge
himself to the corporations.
The senate has not only obstructed re-
forms in national affairs but it has cor
rupted and scsndalzed state legislatures
and has interfered with the adjustment of
state laws to the demands of the people.
In Iowa, for instance, during the last three
guternatorisl campaigns, the republicans
have attempted no ser'ou defense of the
prohibilory law but have pleaded with
their party members oppos, to it to fore
go their convictions on this question aud
vote for the republican candidates for the
Legislature because an United States SEN
ator was to be elected. Leaving aside
the question of prohibitions merits, the
lished that the msjority in this state is
against it, And yet the interpositIon of
the senatorial matter into the contests
for the legislature has served to defes,
he popular will.
Again it has often happened hat the
president of the United States. though
he may have received the msjority of the
popular vote as well majority in the
electoral college, has found the senate in
control of the opposite party and himse +
therefore powerless. In other words he
has found the minority has interposed
through the senate to defea: the Will OF
the msjority. 1t NAV be conceded ths 1
the maj rity is not always right and yet
it is quite as likely to be so as the minor
ity. The senate, as at present consti'u>
ted, is denial of the fundamental priu-
ciple of this government, the right of ,he
msJority to rule, and should therefore b.
altered or abolished.