St. Paul daily globe., 1894-08-19

HON. A. UELAND.

[Ex-Judge of the Hennepin County Pro
bate Court.
1t was proposed in the constitutional
convention to have the senators elected
by the people. Madison said in the
course of the debate: "The true ques-
ton was. in what mode the best choice
would be made. If an election by the
people, or through any other channel
than the state legislatures, promised as
incOrrupt and impartial preference of
merit, there could surely be no neces-
sity for an appointment by those legis-
latures." Sherman opposed elections
by the people "as not likely to produce
such fit men as elections by the state
legislatures. In short, the opinion
| prevailed that the legislatures would
elect better men.
| What led to this opinion was the eX-
| pectatiOn that the senators would be
the direct choice of the legislatures. as
| it was expected that the president
would be the direct choice of the
electoral college, and hence, in both
instances. that the election would be
| the deliberate choice of a body of men
of more than average intelligence.
Every one knows how this eXpecta-
| ton has failed of realization as to the
president, and when we see every day
the candidates for the legislature stand
| pledged in advance in favor of some
certain man for the senate, there can
lie no question but that the expectation
| has wholly failed of realization as to the
senators also.
The reason for the present mode of
election having thus failed, the ques-
ton is only as to the comparative ad-
vantages and evils in the two methods.
Ii the constitution is changed so as to
provide for elections by the people, the
result will be that in each state the
active politicians of each party will
nominate candidate. In making the
nomination the sentiment of the voters
will be consulted in proportion to the
party's strength. Where the politicians
in the nominating convention feel sure
of the nomination being ratified at the
polls. they will probably care less for
the popular will than the members of
the legislature. There is less RESPONSE
bility felt by dele gate to a nominating
convention than by member of the
legislature, and one is as apt to be in
fuenced by sordid motives as the other.
Ii there is any difference in this respect,
it is in favor of the legislator, who has
generally reelection, and through
that an accounting with his constituents,
in view.
When a senator should come to be
elected by the people in state where a
party was safely in control. as now the
Republican party in Pennsylvania,
there is scarcely any ground for hoping
that the present evils of using money
and of electing men of wealth in pref
erence to men of talent and high char
acter would be less than at present.
! Where the parties were OF more equal
strength the choice in making
nominations would be determined by
availability, as it is now bv
nominating conventions But would
the ablest and best fitted man be
found the most available? In the light
of experience there can be but one
answer. The senate would not be
materially improved if its members
were elected by the people.
The present mode OF electing senators.
| however, is subject to some objections
Mhlc.s slhe other mode would be Tree