Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-05
.ELECTING SENATORS
The Cases of Du Pont- in Delaware
and Blackburn in Kentucky.
4 DIRECT ELECTION BY THE PEOPLE
That Would Prevent Such Con-
dition of Things.
ANOTHER WAY SUGGESTED

Said an observing politician to a repre-
sentative of The Star today:
I'VE have in this Du Pont case and in
the present deadlock in the Kentucky leg
islature two very strong reasons why
United States Senators should be elected by
a direct vote of the people. l do not mean,
of course, any reflection on Mr.. Du Pont
himself, or on his case as it is now pre-
sented 10 the Senate. If 1 were a member
of that body 1 think I'd vote to seat him.
My reference is to the protracted and
acrimonious wrangls in the Delaware legis-
lature during the session when Mr.. Du Pont
was elected. and when that wrangle block
ed the way of all other business.
The Two Cases Stated.
You remember the episode. Mr.. Higgins,
who was standing for reelection, had a
majority of his party with him, but was
opposed by a man named Addicks. Mr..
Addicks had been liberal contributor to
campaign funds. and was asking for the
senatorship return favor Just enough
republican members of the legislature sup
ported him to bring about deadlock, and
almost the entire session was consumed
IN an effort to make choice. The people
of the state got no returns at all from that
body in the way of legislation, and if
Mr. Du Pont is not seated they will be de-
obtained.
In Kentucky, for nearly sixty days now,
the legislature has been fruitlessly trying
to elect Ser rator. The body is evenly di-
vided on political lines. Scarcely anything
else has been attempted. The people of the
state are asking for some very important
legislation. rev constitution has but re-
Gently gone into effect, and it's provisions
here and there need strengthening. But
the election of a Senator blocks the way
And yet the probability seems to be that
not even that duty will be discharged. The
session expires by limitation on the 18th
instant, and the new legislature to be
chosen will not assemble until January
1898.
How to Avoid Such n Condition..
"Such condition of things could not, of
course, have arisen in either state under a
law requiring the election of Senators by
the people. Both the Delaware and the
Kentucky legislatures would in that case
have been able to give their whole time to
the consideration of legislative measures
proper. The people would already have de-
cided at the polls the question of the sue
ceSSorS OF Mr.. Higgins and Mr.. Blackburn -
rs sentiment on the subject of change
gaining any ground?''
Il really cannot say. I am afraid not.
1t will have to be effected by an amend
ment to the Constitution, and amending the
Constitution is slow business. Besides, the
present method seems to please a certain
class of senatorial aspirants, and they
would have to be reckoned with"
is there TO other way by which it might
be done?''
One Other Way.
Something might be done by nominating
senatorial candidtes at the state conven-
tions, and in that way instructing the legis-
latures when elected. That was done, I be-
ieve. in the case of Gen. Palmer in Illinois,
and maybe in other cases 1t might be
made to serve in every state. The main
point is to enable the legislatures when
they meet to proceed at once with the busi-
ness which really has brought them to-
gether, without requiring of them a service
charged with personalities, and certain, if
not promptly performed, to lead to bicker-
fngs and confusion. Where the dominant
partys expression as to the Senator has
already been registered, all that will remain
Tor the legislature to do will be to ratify
that action formally"