The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-21
THE ELECTION OF SENATORS
MITCHELL REPORTS TO THE SENATE 4
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
It Is Asserted That Public Opinion Demsn1s
That United States Senators Be Elected ~
Direct Vote Of the PeopIe-A Forclble A.
gument In Its Favor
Associated Press Special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WAsHINGToS. March O.-SenatorAf Mitch.
ell of Oregon today reported to the senate
from the elections committee the joint re-
oIution proposing an amendment to the
constitution providing for the election Of
senators by the direct vote of the people
The committee says the report has an.
preached the subject of the proposed change
in the method of electing senators with .
full appreciation of the gravity of the sub.
ject and of the importance of 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 govern.
ment is founded. The objection is nct
tenable that any proposed change in the
mode of electng senators can be properly
regarded as an attempt to deprive tho
states, respectively as states, in their SOW
ereign or present capacity, of their legal
representation in the senate. It pro-
poses change in the mode-onlv
the states respectively and the PEG.
pie thereof shall choose their represen-
tatives in the senate. Why, asks the RI.
port, are not the people, the qualified
electors of state, the proper mouthpieco
of the state in the election of senatorsf
directly and for themselves, and not
through their representatives in state legiss
!atures? One weighty and principal OBJ
lection to the present system of election a
senators, says the report, 10 that the power
and right of the individual voter are hedged
about and circumscribed, his will il man.
acled, he cannot vote for his choice. Il
carries with it the implication that the
people, the qualified voters, are, for some
reason, unfit for the full exercise of the
elective franchise. Again. it is held that
the proposed amendment is an enlarge
ment Of the right of suffrage on the part
of those entitled to it's exercise under the
possible the use of improper methods to
influence senatorial elections. While il
possible the inducements of q wealthy and
INSCRIPTIONS aspirant for senatorial hon.
ors may reach and influence the majority
OF a small body in the legislature. such 4
thing would be impossible were the decis.
ion left to the great mass of the voters.
Another unanswerable objection the coms
mittee finds to the present system of elect.
ing senators is the great length of time FREE
quently consumed in the election and the
consequent distraction of the legislative
minds of the members, to say nothing OF
the strife, ill-feeiing and contention that
too often follow in the wake OF such con.
tests. Another vital objection to the press
ent system is that in the election of the
members of legislature when such legiss
lature has as one of it's duties the selection
VI q 6f,uatOrs tuat every cOneloerat1On 10
lost sight of except the solitary one OF how
candidates, If elected, will vote on the
question of the senatorship. Public opins
ION, it is argned, demands the change pro-
posed; The demand is loud and emphatic;
pronounced as it is Imperative; earnest az
1t seems to be, almost unanimous among
the great masses of the people. The ten.
dency OF public opinion, the report con-
cludes, is to disparage the senate and de.
preciate it's dignity, its usefulness, it's in
tegrity, it's power. If there is any cause
for this tendency in the public mind it
should be removed without delay. The
adoption of the amendment will remove
prejudices now existing, which are rapidly
becoming deeply and dangerously fastened
upon the public mind, will dissipate all
cause, excuse any pretext for unjust criti-
cism and will tend to elevate the character,
advance the dignity and increase the USE
fulness of the senate.