The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-24

ment to the constitution which propose
is adopted, the members of the senate of
the United States will be chosen by the
direct vote OF the free people of the sew
eral 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
of Illinois in his speech in the senate to-
day urging the election of L. s. senators
By popular vote. and his arraignment OF the
upper house of congress as a non-popular
body was in language not often heard by
the venerable members OF that dignifed
assembly. The resolution presented by
Senator Palmer and which is now pending
in the senate provides tor the formal sub
mission of a constitutional amendment
requiring U. s. senators to be elected by
direct vote OF the people of the various
states, instead Of by the state legislatures
as al present.
Senator Palmer opened his speech by
saying that in urging this constitutional
amendment he only obeyed the instruc-
tons given him in the most impressive
manner by the people of the state of Hi
nois He reviewed briefly the great
Douglass and Lincoln senatorial contest in
Illinois and then detailed the successive
steps and declarations that had been made
by the democracy of Illinois in regard to
this subject and which had finally led to
democratic triumph in that state and the
election OF the representatives OF that
principle of the L. S. senate.
The senator insisted that the constitu-
tionel 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 and undue infiu-
ence that attended nearly every senatorial
election by indorsing or repeating any OF
them. He referred to them in that slight
manner only to emphasize the statement
that the people no longer confded in, but
were profoundly distrustfu of, the methods
OF electing senators by the state legis-
latures. None of the reasons which led
the trainers of the constitution to deprive
the people of the direct control of the
executive department and of the senate
now existed. Experience had long ago
demonstrated the uselessness OF electors
for the selection Of president and vice
president. They were but the John Does
and Richard Roes Of the political system.
Ii the amendment to the constitution
which he proposed should be adopted SEN
ators could be chosen by the direct vote
of the free people of the several states and
the senate would be what it had never
been, the popular branch Of congress.
The wealth invested in commerce, in
manufactures, in railways, forests and
mines demanded legislation for its protec-
ton or its benefit. and its political power
whether employed in congress or the state
legislature, rarely failed OF success. Or
ganized as IL was, it was so related that il
could direct its influence to the attain
ment of any desirable end. That prop
srty had now nothing to fear from the ag-
Eressive action OF the people or from their
direct influence upon the government
all that the people would gain by the pro-
posed amendment would be enlarged
powers of self-defeuse; senators would be
the true and exact representatives of the
people and would defend their homes and
their property from unequal and exces-
sire burdens. They would dignity the
etates-fOr the people were the states
Senator Mitchell (Ore.l said he had
listened with pleasure to the very able re-
marks of the senator from Illinois. He
CHR. Mitchell) had had the honor of intro
ducing similar proposition in 1888, and
one at the present session. Similar amend.
ments had also been introduced by the
senators from Indiana and New Hamp-
shife-Messrs. Turpie and Chandler All
these propositions had been referred to
the committee on privileges and elections.
and bythat committee to a sub-commit-
tee, composed of Senators Chandler.
Turpie and himself. and he was grained
in being able 10 state that after a consul
tation, majority of that subcommittee
had agreed to report in favor of such
amendment to the constitution. II was
their hope and belief that at very early
day the full committee on privileges and
elections would be able to report favorably
an amendment similar in respect to the
one introduced by the senator from IlIi-
nois. The subject then went over.
Mr.. PETER offered resolutions that the
senate has heard with profound SORROW the
death OF Senator Plumb of Kansas, and
that az a mark of respect to his memory
the business OF the senate be suspended to
enable the senate to pay proper tribute of
respect 10 high character and distinguished
public services Mr. Paffor then addroeaad