The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-07-26

than one.third OF the members failed
TO qualify; and as the law OF thai
State requires two thirds OF all mem
bers elect to constitute a quorum fol
any business, they entirely blocked all
legislation, seriou sly jeopardizing the
interests of the State, which were
made subservient to greed, ambition,
or revenge. Scenes of similar charac
ter also we're recently enacted in the
State of Kentucky. when the interests
of the people were for weeks kept IN
allegiance, while selfigh interests and
human passions held sway.
We feel in Michigan also the terrible
effects of this system as a growing I'll
Ger. Starting from the legislature as
the heart of the body polite, poison
Gus influences are pulsated through the
arteries of the various departments,
~permeating to the people. At the last
Senatorial contest it was repeatedly
stated in the press, and I have never
heard it denied, that owe 81, 500 was
paid over the bar of a single hotel for
liquor by the manager" of the sue
cessful candidate. The money for Gin
auencing" the election of Senators is
furnished by those who desire either
legislation in their special interest, or
appointments for themselves or friends.
Thus the vote and influence of the
Senator is fixed" in advance by poll
ticaI bosses or corporate interests, and
the people at large are without actual
representation.
Trust THE PEOPLE
I said, Mr.. Speaker. that, in the light
of our national experience, no shadow
of q valid reason can now be given
why the people Of this country should
not, by direct vote elect their senators
as well as we'll as their governors of
State and r representatives. in Congress.
[ will, however, ellude to n argument
brought forward by the Inior Senator
of my State, when, as a candidate for
this office, addressing the students Of
the college in the city where we both
resided (Kalamazoo), he said, as re
in the official organ of his
Il once thought I was in favor OF
the election of United States Senators
by direct vote of the people, bat l
could not vote for it now, because the
people cannot be trusted"
How much greater the faith of JEFF
and Lincoln. Jtff9rson said:
II am not Of those who are afraid to
trust the people"
Lincoln said:
"Why should there not be q patient
in the ultimate justice OF
the peoples Is there any better or
equal hope in the world?
This country, with Its institutions,
belongs to the people who inhabit it.
they shall grow weary of
the existing G. overnment, they can ex
srcise their constitutional right to
amend or their revolutionary right to
lismember or overthrow it,"
I will agree with the honorable Sen
ator in this, that the people could not
0e trusted to provide q vast corruption
'und to be used for their own oppres
Iiop, or to set apart vas5 sums to be
lsed in riot and drunkenness to en-.
compass the ends OF their oppressors.
But, sir, / deny that Chsre il any one
class, no matter how great their pre-
to EN- )ody within their caste
Ill of national honor" who hold in
ore sacred regard the highest virtues
citizenship, integrity, patriotism,
Oenevolence, and courage than those of
whom Mr.. Lincoln also said:
God loves them most, the common
people, because He made 30 many OF
SHOULD THE SENATE UNDER THE PRESENT
SYSTEM BE RETAINED
Indeed, Mr.. Speaker, it has been for
Iome time seriously considered by
men whether, under the
system Of their election, it
you'd not be far better if the Senate
we're abolished. Illicit speculations,
96bery, and disgraceful scenes in con.
lection with the passage OF the sugar
chedules in both che Dlngley and Will
nlaws, in which it has been charged
hat vast sums we're made by Senators
millions more by the sugar trust,
nd like sce1es in connection with the
schedules in the Dingley la ",
Vhen a Senator's committee room was
urned over to the combine of mil
timber thieves and log rollers
their conspiracy against the home
III ders-2ll these frauds upon the
ublic demand either a radical reform
the Of the election of Sen |
sors or else the adjustment of that