New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-08
MIR. HOAR DEFENDS THE OLD WAY

HIS SPEECH AGAINST POPULAR ELECTION OF
UNITED STATES SENATORS.
Washington. April I'm the senate TO- day the
resolution offered by Mr. Ioar last Monday declaring
1t meXpelient TO propose constitutional amendment
for the popular election OF United states Senators
was taken up. and Mr.. Hoar continued his speech
begun Yesterday in support Of his resolution.
falling as an example the State OF Ma>sachu
sets. and the distinguished men who have rep
resented her in the Senate Of the United States. MIR.
Iloar said that he not ashamed to invite COM
parisOn with lines of dukes. princes. barons. en-
perors Popes, who have filed seats In Legislatures
or have occupied the executive chair in any common
wealth whether they held their title by virtue Of
noble descent royal favor. the favor OF the
people themselves. He did not believe that the PEG
pie of Massachusetts, land the same might be said
TO any other American State would accept the
proposed invitation to change their method OF chOos-
ing senators-an invitation which depended not only
on the claim that State Legislatures were unfit TO
10 trusted with that duty tone Of the chieest func
tons OF sovereignty, but that the senate OF the
United States had been, on the whole. failure.
1t was not true (Mr. HOar said that In the sober
judgment OF the American people the Senate had failed
meet the Just expectations of the generation that
adopted the Constitution. The Senate had responded
quite speedily. and quite directly, TO the set
tied desire Of the popular heart the other House.
1t had originated far than its proportion OF
great leading measures in legislative history. 1t
had resisted what evil but II had also Initiated
and accomplished what good. And this was
never more true than In recent years.
Mr. Hoar then turned his attention to the argu-
ment OF Mr. Palmer in favor OF the proposed amend
ment, recalled the names Of the men whom the
state Of Illinois had sent TO the Senate-DOuglas
Shields, Davis. Logan and Cullomand asked whether
popular elections would have improved upon these
There remained 10 b. considered Nj. foar
said the senator himself (Nr Palmer, from whose
autobiography he quoted this sentence: "Aftcr a
career Of brilliant civil and military service. and af
ter having been tried for four years in the Office
OF Governor, 10 which he elected by the PEG
PIE, he nominated Governor again In 1sos.'
And that ungracful people, Mr.. Hour continued.
defeated him by majority Of 5000 on the great
popular vote. And then he elected 10 the Senate
by the Legs stature. II the senator from Illinois
means to affirm that this 1.-THE latest result Of choos
Ing senators in Illinois by the LEGISLATURE Is I'M
satisfactory 10 the people, think that all Of ~
on both sides OF the chamber WHO know the great
value OF his services. must be permitted most
spec fully TO dissent from It,"
In conclusion. Mr.. Hear poke OF some Of the great
who lave shed lustrc on the .>enate-of Web
st-r. Clay, Calhoun. sumner and seward
Mr. Hoar'> speech. which was delivered from manu-
script, listened 10 by the senators with much
interest and respectful attention.