The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-03-21
SENATOR'S.
BILL FOR AN AMENDMENT REPORT
ED TO THE SENATE.
Reasons why the Members of the
Upper House of Our National Leg
isIature Should Be Elected By Di-
rect Vote.

WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator
Mitchell of Oregon today reported to
the senate from the election committee
the joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the constitution, provid-
ing for the election of senators by
the direct vote of the people The
committee says the accompanying re-
port has approached the subject of
the proposed change in the method of
electing senators with full apprecia-
ton of the gravity of the subject and
of the Importance of the public inter
ests involved. The objections that are
raised to the proposed change are dis
cussed fully. The amendment, it is
held, does not in the slightest degree
trench upon the system upon which our
government is founded. The objection
is not tenable that amy proposed change
in the mode of electing senators can be
properly regarded as an attempt to de-
prive the states, respectively as states,
in their sovereign or political capacity,
of their legal representation in The
senate. 1t proposes a change in the
mode-only this and nothing more
by which the states respectively and
the people thereof shall choose their
representatives in the senate. Why,
asks the report, are not the people
qualified electors of a state the proper
mouthpiece of the state in the election
of senators? And, if entitled to speak,
then why not directly and for them
selves, and not through their repre-
sentatives in state legislatures? One
weighty and principal objection to the
present system of electing senators,
says the report, is that the power and
right of the individual voter are hedg
ed about and circumScTibed, hia will
is manacled, he cannot vote for his
choice. Il carries with it the implica-
ton that the people, the qualified vo-
ters, are for some reason unfit for the
full exercise OF the elective franchise.
Again it held that the proposed amend
ment is an enlargement of the right
of suffrage on the part of those entitled
to it's exercise under existing laws and
it tends to render impossible the USa of
improper methods to influence sena-
torial elections. While it is possible the
inducements of a wealthy Sand unscru-
pulous asoirant for senatorial honors
may reach and influence the majority
of a small body in the legislature, such
things would be impossible were the
decision left to the great mass of the
! voters. Another unansWerable Oojec-
| ton the committee finds to the pres
/ ent system of electing senators is the
/ great length of time frequently con-
! sumed in the election and the conse-
! quent distraction of the legislative
minds from business, to say nothing
of the strife, i'll feeling and contention
! that too often follow in the wake of
! such contests. Another vital objec-
| ton to the present system is that in
the election of the members of the leg
! islature when such legislature has, as
one of it's duties, the selection of a
senator, is that every consideration is
! lost sight of except the solitary one of
! how candidates, if elected, will vote ON
! the question of the senatorship. Pub
| lie opinion, it is argued, demands the
| change proposed; the demand is loud
| and emphatic; pronounced as 1T is i'm
perative; earnest as it seems to be-,
! almost unanimous among the great
masses of the people. The tendency of
public opinion, the report concludes, is
! to disparage the senate and depTsciate
its dignity. it's usefulness, its integrity,
! its power. If there is any cause for
this tendency in the public mints it
! should be removed without delay. The
ADOPTION of the amendment will re-
move preiudices now existing which
are RAPIDLY becoming deeply and dan
perously fastened upon the public
mind. will dissipate all cause, excuse
/ any pretext fer unjust criticism ana
will tend to elevate the character, adj
vance the dignity and increase the
usefulness of the senate.