St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-09-03
CHARLES c. WILSON.

llseadtRR Citizen OF Rochester, Mimi
! Your letter of the 14th inst is received,
asking my views en- the question,
Should United States senators be
elected by the people?" A. .+a
= The United States constitution pro-
,vldes that the senators shall be chosen
by the state legislatures and hold office
4 stxtyears. To alter this, tw0.ihirds OF
4 both senate and house Of representa-
,tives must propose the amendment. or
ltw0-thirds 0f the several states must cali
conventions to propose the amendment.
i In either case the amendment must he
ratified by the legislatures of three
ifourths OF the states or by conventions
in 5hree-fourths thereof. 1t Is improb-
able that such amendment can be ac-
! cpmplished. The political plans OF too
|, many men now in public life would be
shhverted. ......,.7.a
Instability OF purpose. violent fuc-
tdation OF policy and public turmoil
characterize single unchecked assem-
bly,. These evils are corrected by a
second chamber conservative in char
acter.
This second chamber or senate should
nave Its constituency considerably re-
moved from popular instability. If
both houses were elected by the direct
vote OF the people. each would be actu-
ated by the same considerations and
subject to the same influences. The
two houses would be little better
than one. 70 prevent sudden chang
III the policy of the government
as one theory or another should catch
tie popular fancy. 1t is necessary that
the upper house be removed In a large
measure from the influence of popular
prejudice and passion. and its members
hold their seats by the voice of select
constituency rather than of the people
at large.
This view has been almost universally
accepted in modern times. The pres
eht disappointment of Democrats BY
the conduct OF two or three Eastern
senators on tariff and silver coinage has
caused some debate upon the structure
OF the upper house; but conservative
men are, think. inclined to the opinion
that the evil we today experience Is
trif1ihg compared with the dangers shat
wonld beset II both branches of the
congress were elected by popular vote,
and subject to every temporary change
OF popular opinion.
The experience OF the French people
with single unchecked assembly, under
their constitution of 1891, taught them
the wisdom Of an upper house; and their
subsequent forms OF government haveall
contained provisions for second cham
Der. conservative III character and not
elective by the common people. The
history OF the British parliament has
many a lesson on this subject.
CrOmwell's commonwealth had but
q single house. Its history is
fuliof treachery and tumult, and II soon
ended Its career. PENNSYLVANIA and
Georgia escaped from riot and revolt by
amending their early constitutions in
this respect. No one at the present time
denies the necessity of a second house,
and it is altogether probable that the
great majority OF American statesmen
are agreed that the upper house should
be elected for longer term and by
different constituency than the lower.
ltshould be check upon hasty action,
a balance wheel to secure steady
motion. II both houses were elected
directly by the people, they would be
little. If any. better than single popu.
Tar house. Both would feel the direct
Influence Of the same element. and both
would shape their conduct to meet the
prevailing popular notions. Each house
would set its sails to catch the breeze OF
popular favor. and all the evils of
single popular assembly would be felt
by the body polite.
While debate of this subject is
proper and conducive to sound under