Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-21
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 81, 1894.
Election of United States Senators.


The washington Post has recently de-
voted considerable attention to the ques'
ton whether United States senator's
ought TO be elected by the people, as
provided In a joint resolution passed by
the House Of Representatives at its last
session proposing an amendment to the
Federal Constitution or by the several
State Legislatures, as now. The Post mas
discussed the questions involved with
fairness candor. and ability; but 1t has
not satisfied the public that the State Le-
gislatures are better and safer deposito-
ries OF this trust than the people.
Singularly enough, our Washington con-
temporary writes as IL the advocates OF
election by the people were in favor OF
o stronger and more centralized form OF
government. This is good joke upon the
people. who are generally supposed TO
be careful OF their own rights and privi-
leges. We think they may be trusted 70
look after their own interests In the eiec-
ton of United States senators.
In the House of representatives in 1877
Mr.. Tucker. Of Virginia, from the Com
mittee on the Election OF President and
Vice-Presldent and Representatives In
Congress, made a report in favor Of
providing for the election of United States
senators by the people. In this report he
stated the facts Of the case, and advo-
Gated the proposed amendment. The Ian
guage of one paragraph Of this proposed
amendment precludes the assumption that
any Of the rights and privileges of the
people would be lost TO them as con-
sequence Of the ratification of the amend
ment as whole. That paragraph reads
US follows:
1.-The times, places, and manner Of hold
ing elections for senators shall be as
prescribed in each State by the Legisla-
ture thereof"
This language. we repeat, is a part OF
the proposed amendment.
Mr.. fuckers amendment is before the
United States Senate, and win soon come
up there for action. we trust In his
report. above mentioned, he says that
the change of the mode of election OF
senator's from the Legislature to the peo-
pie has the sanction of an almost uni
versal popular demand. His committee
lays.
''The LEGISLATURE, being a body OF linn
tied numbers. is more amenable to undue
influence and the corrupting power OF
corporate aggressions and Individual
wealth than would be the entire popuia-
ton of a State"
Surely this ayerment Is true. The no
torious William NJ. Tweed, Of New York,
testified that he had found 1t easier 70
buy UP members of the Legislature than
TO buy up voters TO elect such members.
lie used his money, therefore, not In
the local elections. but in the two houses
Of the Legislature.
The committee argued further that
power and responsibility ought to sc
together. The representative of politi-
cal power should be 'amenable for his
acts to some certain constituency" This
IA a strong point. To whom, asks the
committee, is a United States senator
now answerable for his conduct? To the
Legislature? This body changes three
times NuIiHk OIG ttih VI u tS'AsN~s'
"a senator elected for six years comes
back in six years seeking reelection
from Legislature composed almost en-
tirely of new members" His pledges to
the electing Legislature are ''nudum pac-
tum" to the re-electing Legislature.
The committee make a good argument
based upon the fact that the States
made the Federal Constitution. "Surely
the creature Ohe Legislature Is not this
equal of the creator Che sovereign peo-
ple)." Another point raised Is that the
system of gerrymandering a State Is no
tofious. "This evil would be greatly modi-
fed by the adoption OF the proposed
amendment"
The committee further say that under
the specious gulse OF interest in the sena'
toriai election Legislatures are debauch'
cd, and the member purchased In thai
election can hardly pose as the unbough'
and unpurchasable tribune OF the peo-
pie"
The committee close as follows:
''Ffnally, we submit this amendment
not In the belief that II Is cure for al
the evils complained OF by the people. but
with confidence that II will eradicate
many such evils. and Will have a health
full tendency TO check the increase OF
Others. That better men viii in all cases
be selected we do not claim or hope for
but the wholesome influence on politi'
cal parties OF the knowledge that from
the nominating convention the appeal
VIII be made direct TO the people foi
their suffrages. none viii deny; and the
bribe-giver and the corruptionist viii not
dare TO face the scorn OF an enlightened
constituency. even though by intrigue
ana fraud he could compass his nomina'
ton In convention"
All which we commend 20 the copsid
Grafton OF the opponents Of the PROPOSE
ton 10 have United States senator's elect
ID by the people.