St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-09-17
DIR. D. N. JONES.
LEADING Physician of Gaylord, MINI.

am in favor of electing United States
senators by the people, and were such
the case ! believe the upper house of
congress would be improved if its men,
beers were so elected.
In support OF this idea. an illustrated
lesson can be deducted from the recent
contest that has been waging for many
months between the United States SEN
ate and lower house of congress over
the tariff. Their proceedings wildly
illustrate the difference between the
two houses as 10 the manner in which
they represent their constituents.
In 1892 the Democratic party. under
the banner of Tariff Reform" won a
signal victory. The people by ballot
demanded deliveraIce from "McKin-
leyism." and by an overwhelming ma
jority indorsed the principles of our
Democratic platform giving us the
president, Grover Cleveland, our worthy
standard-bearer for Tariff Reform"
and control of the upper and lower
houses of congress. Victory complete
was ours, and the promised relief
seemed assured. Onr president has been
loyal, and during the recent contest and
attempt to enact and regulate the tariff
laws as demanded by the people, we
find the Democratic members of the
lower house of congress loyal to the
principles of their party. and have la
bored long and persistently 20 fulfill the
pledges of their party aud the demands
OF their constituency; and while COIN
plete victory IS not achieved, their labor
has been upright and full of honor.
Why have these members been so dill
igent IN representing their constituency?
1t is because they are elected directly
by the people Of their respective dis
tricts. They have no other constituency
than the people from whom they are
elected. They are in duty bound TO
represent these people aud TO concede
to their demands.
Quite different with an United States
senator or member of the upper house.
During the recent tariff contest great
majority of our Democratic senators
conscientiously and persstently la
bored to redeem the pledges of our
party, and they are deserving of the re-
spect of the American people for their
earnest endeavors for tariff reform
Legislation. But. behold, it is in this
''house of lords" as it were, where
amongst our Democratic members we
find some half dozen traitors to
the cause that put them in Office.
Why? the answer in the main is because
they are not elected directly by the peo-
pie. Being elected as they are by the
Legislative bodies of the several states,
besides consuming much valuable lime of
these houses. opportunities are afforded
for various factors to enter into this con-
test for election; besides party infiu-
ences. dictators. monopolies, rings.
trusts and all sorts of combinations have
an opportunity to play their
hand. and when elected it may
going to represent; naturally they are
going to represent largely the forces
that put them i'll office. They may con-
slider tue people. trusts or combinations
to be their constituency. Thus it is we
find Democratic members of the upper
house Of the present congress. instead
Of representing the demands of the
people of their respective states, they
are devoting their labors to the interest
of that gigantic octopus, the sugar
trust. Why is this? 1t is because they
are SO distant and SO Independent of the
people, owing to their manner of cleo
ton. they can represent that which is
to their individual interest.
Ii is not TO be inferred that all United
States senators are not gentlemen OF the
highest integrity. but the questionable
method of their election in many ill.,
stances is but & forerunner of the char
acter of what we may expect their
labors to be i'll return.
What has happened to the Democratic
party may happen TO any other party.
By being elected directly by the people,
we could expect them to more nearly
represent the wishes and demands of
heir direct constituency. as is notice
able i'll workings of the lower house of
congress. ID. n. JONES, NJ. ID.