Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-02
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 2, 1896
Electins United States Senators.

''The Richmond Dispatch comes over TO
ray that IL rather likes the idea or chang
ing the Constitution of our country and
making the Senate also a popular branch
elective by the people"
So says the Norfolk Landmark, which
seems 10 think that the Dispatch was
once on the other side of the question.
II the Landmark means TO say that we
have come over" or changed sides, on
the question, 1t Is mistaken.
Our Norfolk contemporary says 1t would
rather rely upon the wisdom of the men
who made the Constitution than upon
that of the present Congress. IL this
consideration had been a controlling one
no amendments would have been made
TO the Constitution as it was when
first ratified. All the amendments which
have been added to it-from the first
to the fifteenth-wou,d have been still
wanting In that instrument. These amend
ments include the one as TO the fun
exercise of religion, the one protecting
freedom OF speech, and of the press, and
the right TO assemble, &c, &c. In fact
o number Of the most important provi-
sions of the Constitution are in the fif-
teen articles OF amendment.
The Landmark refers Us to the debates
In the old convention. TO the Federalst,
and to the commentators. 1t gives us.
however. no quotations and no specimen
OF the arguments it wishes US TO see.
We gave specimens Of Mr.. fuckers argu-
ments.
We quote the Landmark again. After
quoting Mr.. fuckers remark that "the
Legislature. being a body of limited num-
bers. Is more amenable TO undue influence
and the corrupting power of corporate
aggressions and individual wealth than
would be the entire population Of a
State" our Norfolk contemporary adds:
isn't that fine opinion TO express OF
a General Assembly of Virginia. for eX
ample. Is not Legislature elected by
the people? Is not this 10 .ay, in effect,
that the people are incapable of discern
ing who are honest and patriotic men?'
We admire the coolness of these queries.
coming as thev do from a paper which
argues that tne people are not fit to be
entrusted with the election of United
States senators. We leave 1t TO the
Landmark TO explain how IL reconcies
its opinion that the people are not fit 10
elect United States senators with its
opinion that the people are 1T to elect
State senators.
1t is contended by some persons that
70 provide for fhe election Of United
States senators by the people would be
to provide for two Houses of Represen-
tatives, and that there is no place In our
system Of government for a second popu-
lar branch of the national Legislature.
This objection leaves out of sight the fact
that the senators will continue to be
chosen for six years and two for each
State without reference to population.
The rights of the States will continue TO
be respected. State sovereignty, or what
ever is represented by the Senate. will
continue to be represented by that body.
In fact, the amendment advocated by
Mr.. Tucker will leave everything just as
Il Is at present with the exception just
named. The only important change will
be the requirement that United States
senators shall come into the Senate
fresh from the people" instead of COM
ing fresh from the State legislatures.