Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-13
rowN OFFICE. 4ss EAST BROAD
TUEsDAY......N NOVEMBER 10, 1894.
Elsctins U. 8. Senators by tho People.

El0ctlnR VI D. 6enatOTb W tuo &oopAo'
How many people in the United States
css4 their votes last Tuesday with refe-
renee to the proposition to amend the
Federal Constitution so as to provide
for the election Of United States sena-
tors by the people? We might answer
that next to none Of the voters looked
upon that proposition as pressing one.
There were as many votes cast in Viz
ginia that day In proportion to her total
voting population as In any other State;
and owing to peculiar circumstances sur
rounding us there were In proportion
10 the whole number voting more voters
here than elsewhere who thought OF the
said proposition when they deposited
their ballots But even here the proper
ton WAS small indeed. Coal, iron, the
tariff, sugar. protection, free trade. and
other topics claimed the attention OF
the voters up to the last moment And
ihen personal considerations controlled a
larger number OF voters than usual
West Virginia Democrats gave 10 Mr..
Wilson, though they did not succeed In
electiDg him, more votes than they
would have given 10 anybody else. So
In Ohio many votes were cast for other
persons which were really intended by
the voters TO be counted in the presiden-
tial boom" of Governor Mckinley. So
as TO Morrison. SO as to other candl-
iates for Congress. The question Of
providing for electing United States
cnators by the popular vote was not
IN all the thoughts" Of one voter out
{ ten.
And yet 1t is already reported from
Washington that the opponents of the
projected amendment have begun TO
speak Of that amendment as If it had
been buried last Tuesday along with
some of the other matters which had
been very conspicuous before that day.
The people will not consent to such a
disposition Of the question. 1t was not
buried last week. and will not be buried
ext week nor ever; for If the people
mot secure the proposed change IN
organic law in one way they will
ure II In another. They have allowed
s Federal Constitution to remain un-
s.tered as TO the method Of electing
ne President of the United States; but
III the same they have taken that cleo
ton. out of the hands of the so-called
electors and placed 1t In the hands
Of the real electors-to wit. the people.
I'm several cases the experiment has
been successfully tried Of taking the
sense Of the voters at a popular cleo
lion as TO who should be chosen United
States Senator's and 1t Will be matter
Of no difficulty thus to provide for desig-
rating the men whom the several State
Legislatures are to send to the United
states Senate.
There are some objections to the
amendment as 1t passed the House OF
representatives which will be obviated II
he people take the matter into their
,wn hands in the manner above indi-
ated; for In the excitement Of cam
,aign carried on In the interest Of a
PARTICULAR aspirant to the United States
senate, matters of much moment might
,e overslaughed and the elections OF
members of the Legislature turn upon
PERSONAL questions and personal conside-
atoms rather than upon matters OF
rational concern.
There Is sort Of grim humor In the
tatement sent out from Washington day
,efore yesterday that 1.-THE talk" at the
apital Is that the people seem to know
ust when and how TO upturn things
nd to think that the old methods work
,retty well on the whole. And 1t must
,e confessed by every good Democrat
hat there Is a satisfaction In knowing
hat even such a rising flood Of popu-
ar dissatisfaction as overwhelmed the
louise Of Representatives last week
allied to reach the Senate. This fact
ecalls the well-known cry Of genera
ion or more ago. Look to the Sen
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