Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-27
FRIDAY. JULY ~, 1894.
El.et,pg U. s. senators by the People.

II looks as IL the people were already
prepared to vote on the question of pro-
yiding by constitutional amendment for
the election Of United States senator's
by themselves. The indications are. how
ever. that the main question viii be fully
discussed in the United States Senate
before. II ever, II Is submitted to the
judgment OF the people at the polls. We
mean by the use Of the phrase "the main
question 10 say that the Senate is so
conservative a body that 1t may decide
no, TO consult the voters on this sub
feet at all. The members OF that body
are 10 doubt well satisfied with the ex-
listing constitutional provision OH the sub
ject.
Mr.. Hoar made IL long time ago
IN able argument In the United
States Senate against The propo-
sition contained In Mr.. fuckers pro
posed amendment. Theoretically, Mr.
Hoar proved that senator's ought 20
be chosen by the State Legislatures.
But his argument was based upon the
assumption that as the Constitution and
laws now stand United States senators
are elected by the Legislatures OF the
several states. whereas the fact seems
10 be that they are chosen by party
manager or men OF long purses, or
railroad companies. or trusts, or mo-
nopolists of some other kind. In other
words, 81 may be said that II the theory
of the trainers OF the Federal Consti-
tuition were always or generally acted
upon and carried out by the State L.
g1.lafures, IL would be well to let the
troyision in the Federal Constitution on
this subject remain as it is; but that
inasmuch as the facts prove that that
theory is no longer respected or acted
upon. the proposed amendment ought to
be Incorporated into the Constitution.
one OF our exchanges says that ten
State Legislatures, or at any rate a
number OF them, have already acted
favorably upon the proposed amendment.
But of course nothing they could do
before the amendment was formally pro-
posed IN the manner prescribed in the
Federal Constitution would be entitled 10
be considered. The ratification must me-
cessarily take place after the question
If ratification Is submitted 10 the seve-
jal State Legislatures.
The Springfield Nlass.) Republican says
that having IA candidate endorsed by the
votes Of the people before he Is elected
by the Legislature is "the same idea
Is having him elected by the people.
As long ago az In 1853 Stephen A. Doug
las and Abraham Lincoln took the
ytump in Illinois, and each presented
20 the voters the reasons why he should
b. elected to the United States Senate.
,ir. Douglas carried the State. That is,
. majority of the members elected 10
the Legislature were chosen in his In
)erest. n was n remarkable canvass
which Lincoln and Douglas made.
We do not think hat the people Will
be willing to continue the present mode
of eiecting United States senator's.
Having been instructed on the subject.
and having seen for themselves how
The existing law IL perverted from its
original purpose. they Will agitate the
subject until they d compelled their
public servants to carry out their wishes.
To refuse to change the Constitution
would be to approve indirectly the cor
with the election of United States sena-
tors, and give to the trusts. monopo-
lists, and corruptionists "a charter il
iimitable as the wind to blow on whom
they please" or to elect whom they
might choose to elect, In defiance OF the
will of the people.