The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-21
The ELECTION OF SENATORS.
4 FaVOIab'e Report 10 The Senate Oh a
Direct Vote By The People.
BsYARDRESOLOIIOES PISS THE HOUSE
Six Democrats Vote Aye-1he senate pe-
votes the Greater Part Of the Day TO
Discussion of tho Cuban hesoln-
tions-Mr. Morgan Ohers Another

WASHINGTON. March 2o.-The debate
on Tho cuban question occupied most Of
he time OF the Senate to-day. 1t was
opcnod by Mr. Canery in continuation Of
the speech begun by him yesterday. in
earnest opposition 90 all interference ia
the matter. and IL was closed by an
equally earnest appeal by sir. can ia Ia
NOR of the Cuban insurgents or patriots.
Before the conference report on the
Cuban resolutions was taken Up, Mr..
Allen addressed the Senate In opposition
10 the claim ol Sir. Dupont to seat IN
the Senate from the State of Delaware.
one of Mr. Aliens points was that no
senator should Dee admitted without
gubcrnatorial certificate, or without an
oTapplicatlon for mandamus Tor such Ger
Smlhcate. AIR. Chandler suggested that
that rule would have excluded the sena-
cutor from Florida. Mr.. Call, and would
have deprived the Senate Of the many
losloquent arguments on various SUBJECTS
utwhich that senator had made.
~ Air. Allen wound up his speech by de
1olarng emphatcany that be would vote
parainst Air. Dupont being recognized as
senator.
ATTEMPT TO ADJOURN.
A motion 10 adjourn over until Mon
day was made by Air German Dem.l.
of Maryland. and was. in the absence Of
Mr. Sherman. objected TO by AIR. Lodge
Repl of Massachusetts VINO desired to
have action on the Cuban resolutions. a
call of the Senate was had in order 10
give time FOR Mr. sherman 10 return TO
the chamber. aud sixty senators re-
spoudcd.
In the meantime Ar. sherman returned,
and bee expressed the hope that the mo-
d Ia
unless there was first an agreement
reached as 90 time for taking the vote
cn tho Cuban resolutions. To that pro-
position q strong objection was made 10y
Mr. Hale. on the ground that two-thiIds
OF the time occupied i'm the Cuban dis
cussion had been occupied by the men,
bers Of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
ti0ns or those who sympathized with
their report. and that there were many
senators who desired 60 be heard on the
other side OF the question.
The vote was taken on Mr.. Germans
motion. and 10 was agreed tc-yeas, A.;
NAYS. % as follows:
Yeas-Mes-rs Allen. Bacon. Bate, Bricc
Burrows. Butler Cafery, Cannon, Carter.
Chiffon. Cockrol Davis. Dubois. Faux
nor Gibson. German. Gray. Ha.e. Harris.
liill. lrby. Jones of Arkansas. Mcmillan.
Martin. Mitchell of Wisconsin Morrill,.
Pasco PETER Platt Pugh Roach, Sewoll.
Smith. stewart. Teller. ThurstOn. Turpe.
Villas Walthal. Wetmore, White, and
Wole0tt-i2.
Nay Mcssrs. Baker. blanchard. Brown.
Call Chandler. Clark. Cunom, Frye. Gal
lnrer kyie. Lodge Mills. Mitchell OF
Oregon. Morgan. Nelson. Perkins. Proc
Tor. sherman, shoup. Tillman. Vest, and
Milson-22.
ELECTION OF SENATORS.
Mr.. Mitchell. chairman Of the Commit
tee ON Privileges and Elections reported
Joint resolution for the election of
United States senator's by the people
and gave notice that as soon as possible
he would move 10 have it taken up ana
considered
The report is very voluminous. Among
other things 90 says:
"In the judgment of your committee. any
movement thar looks 20 the right Of the
people 10 be hoard directly in the elec-
non ot senators cannot hut result hene-
hcially 90 an concerned The adoption OF
tnis proposed amendment Will in the
judgment of your committee. bring the
Senate INTO more amicable relations with
the people. 70 win remove preiudic,s
now existing which are RAPIDLY becoming
deeply and dangerously fastened upon the
public mind. To viii invoke "a spirit of mu-
tual forhfaance and respect as between
tho Ssnofe and the people. which unfor-
tunatcly does not now exist 10 that de-
gree chat is desirable 10 VIII restore
confidence. 10 viii tend 10 elevate the
character advance the dignity. increase
the usefulness. extend the influence. and
justly magnify the power OF the Senate,
and at the same time promote the well
fare of am the people of the republic.
DIGNITY Of THE SENATE.
'The tendency of public opinion IS 20
afaIf. 4fI
dignity. its usefulness. IT'S power. If there
ls any cause Tor this tendency in the
public mind it should be removed with
ont delay Although the Senate Of the
United State should bc. and in fact u.s. the
most dignifcl. as Well as the most inn
portant legislative body IN the world the
tendency in public journalism and In the
popuar mind, is in a LARGE degree 10 de-
tract from its Importance. minimize its
dignity ana power. and east the spirit
OF ohloquy over and around 1t and it's
members. While your committee are OF
opinion that The impression which leads
90 AN this is. Co very gfsat extent at
10 not wen founded vat is a fact
ihat cannot Dee ignored that y exists.
ACTUAL CONDITIONS.
cone weiehty ana principal objection 90
the present system Of clectinE senators
by the Legislatures of the respective
States fnc report continue, us That
tho power and ripht of the individual vot-
er are hcdred about and circumscrihcd. his
will is manaclcd. bis voiition paralyzed;
ho cannot vote for bis choice. He can
lot. in fact. vote directly az an. but must
content himself with casting q vote for
members OF the Legislature, who may,
rr naN not. properly represent his wishes
n ;lo vote they may cast fo~ senator.
g. carries with 10 the implication that
ihe people. the qualified voters Of state.
are. for some reason. unfit for the fun
exercise of The elective franchise except
n "a qualified and largely restricted sehse.
The present system is In pracuce.purpose
AID effect a declaration that for some
occult reason. which is In no way made
nan.f. is unsafe and ureiudicial 20 thc
public Interests to commit the election OF
senators 10 vote ol the people"
SOME INSTANCES.
The committee points out that the ma
tcrial interests of the State suffer by
reason OF protrdccd senatorial contests
that are ol frequent occurrence Instances
~ New York oregon. Washington. Mon
iana. idaho. Wyomlng and kentucky are
.itcd THE recent contest before the
Legislature OF the State OF Delaware"
says the report. lis fresh In The public
mind resulting in the claim now pending
pf Mr.. Dupont 10 a seat in the senate.
while the daily reports OF the intermlna-
BE contest in the Legislature OF tho