Evening star., 1897-03-23
ELECTION ORS
Senator Turpie Advocates an Amendment to
the Constitution.
Believes They should BE Elected by
Direct Vote of the People
Reasons for the Change.

JoIit FSSOIuuoN IOr an amendment 10 the
Constitution providing for the election Of
senators by direct vote of the people, After
| reviewing the historical points he spoke
directly upon the subject of the three cases
now pending in the Senate:
There is certainly a very clear incon-
gruity between the legislative duties ard
the office Of choosing senators of the United
States. This disagreement has become
greater as the country has grown older
1t is now not uncommon that the legisla-
ture of state spends the whole time of
its sessions in the effort to elect a United
States senator. and adjourns without sue
ceeding in the attempt. This results in the
total neglect by the members of the gen.
eral assembly of their functions law
givers of the state. Thus the rights and
interests local to the people of the state
are submerged. overwhelmed and forgot
ten in the struggle over the senatorial cleo
ton. Besides this. the condition of politi-
cal parties becomes sometimes so evenly
balanced as that very small number
two or three members of the legislature
belonging to some middle third party
in a small minority among the peoples
able to determine the choice of senator, or
to prevent one being made. The inability
to elect by the legislative body is becom-
ing more and more frequent. 1t is not
physical disability; it is rather political
or function al inability induced by the too
close equilibrium of dissenting forces who
are unable to unite upon choice.
Deprived Of Equal Suffrage.
ut Is true, as has already been noted
tha. the Federal Constitution provides that
no state shall be deprived of it's equal
suffrage in the Senate, but the fact is
that under the present mode of choosing
United States senators by the legislatures
many of the states have been from time
to time. deprived of their equal suffrage in
the Senate. Washington, Wyoming, Mon
tana and Delaware until quite recent
date were so situated, and at this very
time the states of Oregon and Kentucky
are deprived of their equal representation
In the Senate by reason of the inability
Of the legislatures to elect. All these evils
will disappear by this change in the method
OF electing senators.
The people at large would not be him
dered by any such disability. They would
vote for the senator the same they
would do for the governor. and count of
the vote would decide the election"
Mr.. Turpie then spoke of the usurpa ton
of the power of trusts and the influence
they exerted over state legislatures. He
continued
This syndicate of the trusts in its ac-
tion bears no relation to the actual busi-
hess carried on by any of its incorporated
members. such as Transportation or man.
ufactures. Its aim is political supremacy
by direct control of the ballot among its
presents the question, bare and naked. to
every empioye. whether he will vote the
ticket of the syndicate or cast his ballot ss
his conscience and judgment may dictate
with the alternative of losing his place
and wages. and :hiS to a class of men
whose livelihood depends upon their daily
work and earnings This is an instance of
despotism, odious and offensive SO con-
trary to the inborn freedom of manhood.
in such deadly hostility to liberty and JUS
tice. as could only have been invented and
Snforced by the shameless insolence and
audacity of the syndicate of trusts.
The force BILL not long ago driven from
this chamber III defeat and discontinue
has been. with marvellous unanimity of
expression by the public press of the coun-
try. denounced as infamous. but this later
force bill of the syndicate of trusts is ten
fold more worthy of such a designation
The oligarchy of the trusts say with list
less laHguid Indifference. The laborer is
worthy OF his hire: then they add with
earnest emphasis but not of his vote; his
vote is ours.
The Olisnrchy of the Trusts.
The oligarchy of the thirty trusts pro-
fesses intense opposition to free lumber
free wool, free coffee. free coinage, but it
abhors with most perfect hate the free bal
lot. With the free ballot this syndicate of
trusts would be sent back to their original
calling-that of furnishing shoes sugar.
calico and carpets, transportation for
height and passengers, purveyors of goods
and merchandise, common carriers of the
publ1c-all very useful and honora BILE voca-
ticns If honestly pursued, but not to be
compared In their estimation with that
with which they today so arrogantly as
sumo the control of the legislation and of
the government of the United States
Il do not include all corporations. Some
of these have acted quite honorably, but
they were not considerable in number. The
late election was as free to their employees
as elections had been formerly-they were
not In or of the trust of oligarchy.
The plotters in this tyranny of trusts
have not tried to avail themselves of the
terms of public law; they have not even a
pretense of authority. They skulk behind
secret orders of the company. and hide
among the shadows of the Incorporated
wraiths and ghosts. who. unseen and un-
known, conduct this insidious raid against
the franchise"
The legislative caucus he declared was
peculiarly adapted to the control of trusts
Mr.. Turpie closed with declaration that
this amendment was in accordance with
the great precedent of progress and ad-
vancement set forth in the preamble of the
Constitution.