The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1896-03-26
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF I7s7.

Orsgonian: The election OF the United
States senators by the state legislatures
10 held up to admiration as being an es-
sential part Of the comprehensive and
nicely adjusted system OF checks and bal
ances with which the trainers OF the
constitution endowed the republic. State
ments like these are apt to go unchal-
Ienged until they are generally believed.
The proceedings of the constitutional
convention that met in Philadelphia May
IA, 1887, are not much read now, and we
are in danger Of forgetting that many, II
not most, OF its conclusions were only
reached after many disagreements. and
that nearly all of them were compromises.
The constitution has demonstrated it's
adaptation to its purpose by the glorious
history Of 100 years and more. But its
perfection has been disproved beyond
csvil through the adoption OF amend
ments to it; and no one need hesitate to
consider whether further amendment will
not be necessary.
1t 10 no reflection upon the prescience
or the high resolve Of these men Of blessed
memory that, as they looked toward their
country's future, strange and distorted
visions came to them, which, aftertime in
no way justified. They we're but human,
and they had misapprehensions. The
wonder lie that they did 80 we'll. They
misgave themselves OF their own work !;
and likely it would have failed ii there
had not been present in their thoughts
the adiurstion OF Washington: 'It is
too probable that no plan we propose win
be adopted. Let US raise a standard to
which the wise and the honest can re-
pair; the event is in the b and Of God"
1t may be profitable to see how made
quate was the view Of the individual man.
Randolph said the senate should be chos-
en- out Of the house OF representatives,
and the president by congress; Madison
was for giving congress the right of mega
living any state law whatever; Mason
opposed rotation in the presidency as
throwing out Of Office the men best
qualified to execute its duties;' Elbridge
Gerry declared that the people of New
England would never give up annual
elections; Hamilton favored giving the
president tenure during good behavior,
and Franklin advocated a clumsy ar
rangement that states should have pro-
portional votes on financial subjects, ac-
cording to their property.
With such individual misconceptions
It Is small wonder that the convention
agreed on some false expectations. The
convention came near splitting up, in.
deed, on the question OF representation
for the senate. This was the acrimon-
ious debate that moved Franklin to ask
that the daily sessions be opened with
prayer; and the final adjudication of the
conflict between the large and small
states was one OF the most memorable
compromises In our history. The south
expected that it was to be the scene Of
great immigration; the North received
the settlers. The electoral college was
0SsacSo " thns 40 aCtioa intehs bC to
moved from popular clamor and guided
by greater discretion; but. as matter Of
fact, no csst-iron wheel exercises less
judgment or consideration than the presi.
Dental elector. This disssust OF the peo-
pie was at the bottom of the decision to
have the senators elected by the legisla-
ture. Roger Sherman declared the peo-
pie should have as little to do as may be
about the government; they want infor-
nation, and are constantly liable to be
misled," and Elbridge Gerry added: "The
people do not want virtue; but they are
the dupes Of pretended patriots" Rut-
ledge also said: San election by the
legislature would be a refining process. /"
How erroneous these expectations have
proved the senatorial elections OF the
present day abundantly testify. The
people Of the state can elect the senator,
thus preserving the states representation
In the upper branch OF the national legis-
lature. The result will be at once deter
mined, and legislatures can devote them
selves to making laws.