Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-03-26
SELECTING SENATORS.
Senator Mitchell Advocates an
Amendments to the Con-
StitutiOn.

Washington, D. Cv March 20.--Se-,-
to the Senate from the elections COM
aittee the joint resolution proposing IN
amendment to the constitution to provide
for the election of senators by the di-
rect votes of the people. The committee
says the accompanying report has APP
preached the subject of the proposed
change in the method of electlng sen
ators with full appreciation of the
gravity of the subject and of che impor-
lance of the public interests involved.
The objections that are raised to the
proposed change are discussed very fully.
The amendment, it is held. does not III
the slightest degree trench upon the sys-
tenn upon which our government is found
ed The objection is not tenable that
any proposed, change in the mode of
electing. senator's can be properly re-
garded as an attempt to deprive the
states. as states. in their sovereign or
political capacity. of their legal repre-
sentation ia the Senate. 1t proposes a
change in the mode--only this and moth
ing more--by which the states repre-.
sentively and the people thereof shall
choose their representative in the sta.
Why, asks the report, are not the people
the qualified electors of Il state the proper
mouth-piece of the state IN the election
of senator's? And if entitled to speak,
then why not directly and for themselves
and not through their representa-
tives in the state Legislatures? One
weighty and principal objection to
the present system of electing SEN
ators. says the report. is that the
power and right of the individual voter
are hedged about and circumscribed. his
will is manacled. his Wilton paralyzed,
he cannot vote for his choice. 1t car
ries with it the implication that the peo-
pie. the qualified voters, are for some
,,,,Ef th.> full a
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 its exercise
under existing laws and it tends to
render impossible the use of improper
While it is possible that the induce
ments of a wealthy and unscrupulous
aspirant for senatorial honors may
reach and influence the majority of Il
small body in the Legislature. such
thing would be impossible were the de-
cison left to the great mass OF voters,
Another unanswerable objection the
committee finds to the present system of
electing senator's is the great length OF
time frequently consumed in the election
and the consequent distraction of the
legislative minds from business, to say
nothing of the strife, il-feeling and con-
tention that too often follow in the wake
of such contests. Another vital objection
to the present system is that in the cleo
ton of the members of the Legislature
when such Legislature has as one of its
duties the selection of Il 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
senatorshp. Public opinion, it is argued,
demands the change proposed: the de-
mand is loud and emphatic; pronounced
rs it is Imperative: earnest as it seems to
be, and almost unanimous among the
great masses of the people
The tendency of public opinion, the
report concludes. is to disparage the Sen
ate and depreciate it's dignity, it's use
fulness, it's integrity. it's power. If there
is any cause for this tendency i'll the
public mind it should be removed with
out delay. The adoption of the amend
ment will remove prejudices now exist
IT,. which are rapidly becoming deeper
and dangerously fastened upon the pub
lie mind, will dissipate all cause. ex-
cuse and pretext for unjust criticism and
will tend to elevate the character, adj
vance the dignity and increase the use
fulneSs of the Senate.
Senator Mitchel's report proved ac-
ceptable to the ma jority of the commit
tee. The minority who oppose the propo-
sition probably will file a report later.