The San Francisco call., 1896-03-21
An Important Amendment to
the Constitution Is Deemed
Necessary.
MANY BENEFITS WOULD ENsUE
To Take Away the Power Now Held
by Transient Legislatures Is
Desired.

WASHINGTON. D. c., March 2o.-The
Senate Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions this morning made a favorable re-
port on the amendment to the constitution,
providing for the election of United States
Senators by a direct vote of the people.
The report is very voluminous. Among
other things it says:
"ln the Judgment of your committee any
movement that looks to the right of the
people to be heard directly in the election
of Senators cannot but result benefcially
to all concerned. The adoption of this
proposed amendment will, in the judg-
ment of your committee, bring the Senate
into more amicable relations with the peo-
pie. 1t will relieve preiudices now exist
ing, which are becoming deeply and dan
gerously fastened upon the public mind.
1t will invoke a spirit of mutual forbear-
ance and respect as between the Senate
and the people, which unfortunately does
not now exist to that degree that is de-
sirable.
at will restore confidence. 1t will tend
to elevate the character, advance the dig
nifty, increase the usefulness, extend the
influence and justly magnify the power Of
the welfare of all the people of the repub-
lie. The tendency of public opinion is to
disparage the Senate and depreciate its dig
nifty, It's usefulness, its integrity, its power.
If there is any cause for this tendency in
TIE public mind, it should be relieved with
out delay"
Zone weighty and personal objection to
the present system of electing Senators by
the Legislatures of the respective States,
the report continues, sis that the power
and right of the individual voter are
hedged about and circumscribed, his will
is manacled; his volition paralyzed; he
cannot vote for his choice. The present
system is in practice, purpose and effect a
declaration that for some occult reason
which is in no way made manifest, it is un-
safe and prejudicial to the public interests
to commit the election of Senators to a
vote of the people"
The committee points out that the ma
terisi interests of the States suffer by rea-
son of the protracted Senatorial contests
that are of such frequent occurrence. In
stances in New York, Oregon. Washing
ton, Montana. Idaho, Wyoming and Ken
tucky are cited.
Popular opinion has, the committee
says, taken hold of the subject and the de-
mand for this change is loud and en-
phatic The belief in the public mind is
rapidly gaining that proper Difference is
not given by the Senate of the Unitod
States to the demands and interests of the
people. and that is largely due to the fact
that Senators do not owe their positions to
the people, who are permanent, but to the
Legislatures, which are transient In con-
clusion the committee says:
"The people demand voice in the cleo
ton of Senators and such demand, in the
Judgment of your committee, should be
respected. So whatever may be said to
the contrary, whatever may be thought of
the sanctity of the Constitution as it
stands, it must be admitted by all that the
people are becoming restive under its re-
stratnts on the right of those entitled
under the constitution and laws to exer-
else the elective franchise. The move
ment of the people in the interest of the
people on this as on many other questions
is stalwart and universal, and the sooner
this great fact is recognized by the repre-
sentatives OF the people the better"