Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-08-22
Should L. S. Senators be Elected by
Popular Vote?


There are two modes in which
the United States may be pro-
posed: First by two-thirds of both
Houses of Congress, second by applica-
lions to Congress from the legislatures of
two-thirds of the States. for the
calling of a national convention for pro-
posing amendments. In either case the
legislatures or conventions of two-thirds
of the States must ratify the proposed
amendments before they become valid.
All the existing amendments to the con-
stitution, fifteen in number, have been
made in the first of these two ways. That
is, they have been proposed to the State
Legislatures by Congress and ratified by
three-fourths or more of the legislatures,
and any future amendments Will prob
ably be made in that way.
An amendment is now under extended
discussion in the country at large which
is perhaps more important than any that
has been as yet proposed, saving always
the last three amendments, which forbid
slavery, make citizens of the freedmen,
and We're intended to guard their rights
and prevent future rebellions. A change
through which United States senators
should be elected by popular vote is fav-
ored by many politicians who are well
aware how much easier it is to control
nominating conventions than legislatures
by many uneasy souls who like change
for changes sake; and by many good and
intelligent persons who have become
l.
to the United States Senate, in some of
the States and who think, as many for
instance do in the State of New York,
that no system could give them worse men
than the Hills and Murphys to represent
them in the Senate, while some other sys-
tenn might give them better men for SEN
ators.
The main arguments in favor of the
proposed change have been forciby pre-
scented to the people of Vermont and
have been copied in these columns. They
are entitled to full and fair consideration
and such consideration we have endeav-
ored to give to them. The result is that
they have failed to convince us of the
need of the suggested change, and we see
little or nothing to indicate that they have
carried with them the deliberate judg-
ment of any very considerable portion of
/ the people.
/ To elect senator's by the legislature,
of the States seems to us to be altogether
the more responsible and better way. II
was adopted by the wise founders of the
Republic after long and full discussion OF
the various possible methods, including
of course, that by popular election, anc
we have no doubt that on the whole it has
given to tho nation better Senate than
could have been secured by any othel
method. To change to popular cleo
tons would he practically in most cases
to exchange choice by the legislature 70
choice by nominating convention. Blu
legislators are commonly selected will
more care than delegates to State con
ventions. The members Of the Legislature
feel more responsibility than member
of nominating convention. Each mus
stand up in his place and vote audibl,
for Senator, thus indicating his individual
choice, and showing whether he is rep
resenting his constituents or not. Mem
belis of State nominating convention
vote under no such safeguards and as
general thing it is probably easier, in mos
of the States, to carry conventions by tn
use of money and by corruption than t
carry the Legislature.
Some of the arguments for cleo
ton of Senators by popular vot
seem to us to prove too muci
Why not elect Representatives
! Congress, and State Senators and all tn
officers now elected by the legislature a
well as United States Senators, by genel
, al State ticket If that is so much the be
, ter method?
In some of the larger States the propose
, change finds much favor. The small'
! States should resist it because the Unite
States Senate now represents the So
, ere!gnty of the States. In the State II
, legislature is the depository of that So
O ereign power. In the United States Sci
ate the several States stand upon q
equality. Each has two senator's al
only two, If one State has more inf
: ence than another in that body 1t is b
cause it's senators have greater abilit
g or larger experience or higher character
I qualities which cannot be deprived
q their influence. Some of the larger Stat