The herald., 1894-07-23
AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION.

Inc passage by the house OF represent
atives of q resolution calling for an
amendment OF the constitution OF the
United States providing for making
United States senators elective by the
vote of the people OF the several states,
and that by majority of IL over the
two-thirds majority required in each
branch OF congress, was certainly sur
prise to most Americans. That the
sentiment in favor of such change had
been growing rapidly for some years
past had been we'll known. But the de-
velopment OF such q sweeping prefer.
ence for the new idea had not been sup
posed to be attainable 80 early in the
struggle. What view the senate will
take Of the question remains to be seen.
A frank acceptance OF the action of the
house OF representatives by the senate
at this stage OF public sentiment would
probably result in the adoption of the
amendment by the necessary number OF
states. There are now in the senate at
least two men-Senator Palmer OF lii
nois and White OF Csliiornia-who were
substantially elected by a vote of the
people. In the case OF Senator Palmer
the issue was raised explicitly by the ex-
preston of the choice of the Democratic
state convention OF Illinois. In the
case OF Senator White the issue was not
SO well defined, as his friends deemed it
wise to waive the proposition in the San
Jose convention, but the California SEN
ator made his personal campaign on that
proposition, and when he entered upon
the somewhat famous discussion with
Mr.. Estee it was well understood that if
the Democrats won Mr.. White was to be
the senator. These two gentlemen, con-
sequently, ought to be relied upon as
champions OF the election Of senators !
by the people.
What is the senate likely to do with |
this house resolution? There is only
too much reason to believe that the
highest branch Of congress will simply
ignore the attempted new departure.
II not acted upon by the senate the bill
will simply die for the time being.
There is rapidly growing up in this
country sentiment in favor OF vastly
extending the elective franchise, or.
rather, the scope of it's exercise. We do
not recall the exact number of officials
Of the national government, but the last
table we have seen gave a total of over
one hundred and forty thousand. OF
these, of course, the overwhelming por-
ton consists of postmasters. Why !
should not . postmaster be elected by
the votes of his fellow citizens? There
is probably no Office as to which there is
SO much log-rolling as in the case of this
official. A very large and respectable
portion of the American people are OF
opinion that these officials ought to hold
Office during good behavior. The en-
forcement of such an idea is scarcely
possible under our system OF govern
ment. But we can see no valid reason
against postmaster being made elect
i've by the voters of his vicinage. This
would take an immense strain off the
shoulders OF the department officials at
Washington.
Under republic all efforts should be
directed to making the government as
democratic as possible. In all likeli-
hood the trainers of the constitution had
no idea that our country would expand
go enormously. or that the bureaucratic
feature OF our civic administration would
have attained such gigantic dimensions.
II they had had, rhe followers of Mr..
Jefferson would undoubtedly have in
troduced provisions looking towards
local self.goveInment that are not in the
instrument now. Our senatorial repre-
sentation was based on conditions that
do not exist now. Its inequalities are
many under any circumstances, but a
long submission to the sutocrstic powers
OF that body can only be assured by
bringing it nearer to the masses. This
the election of its members directly by
the people themselves would probably
effect. The change is certain to be &C
! IN tha frtura