The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-25
ELECTION OF SENATOR'S BY THE
r


The election of the United States sena-
torsbysa direct vote of the people is GER
tainly an important and growing oues-
ton. 1t has been more and more en-
gaging each year for a decade. The
recent events in Ohio, and the disgrace
full election Of the giant corruptionist.
Mark Hanna, have attracted more at
tention to the question Of how to elect
senator's, and the sentiment deepens
that it must he by the people. Mary
land is another object lesson. The
trouble in Ohio and Maryland is that
owing to the character of republican
candidates there were some members
Of that party who kicked out and would
not support them. That would be a
poor reason lin itself for changing the
method, and if there was nothing better
to urge, most sensible people would
favor the continuance of the round
about way of electing by legislatures.
But the real reason for a change, and
a most excellent reason it is that
the legislatures have become corrupt
and purchaseable. IA man like Quay or
Hanna can get to the senate by pur-
chase. In this way for thirty years
money bags nave got to the senate and
without any qualifications for the
high and noble place of senator for a
great state. a men can buy places,
n the literally angers and disgusts
all honest, decent people. Political
treason may be a catoh-phrase, a coin
g for the hour. "A man who refuses
to vote for a corrupt rascal Who may
be nominated in any state by a 1egisla-
ture is no evidence Of ~disloyalty to
principles, but an evidence, clear and
ringing, of conscience. The republican
who would positively refuse TO support
such fellows as Hanna and Quay be-
cause of their known bad characters,
should he honored rather than eensur-
ed. Parties must cease to nominate
corruptionists and scoundre1s for office
if they do not desire to cause a split
or defeat. There is more Of indepen-
dence and conscience now than for
merly among many of the most intel
ligent and reputable people in the
| states.
| If constituents instruct their 1egfsla-
tor to vote for a given man he ought
" OOCy vi 0lS NOt viz IC - III
| instructed but is left free to vote ac-
cording to the light before him., if he
fe an honorable, high toned gentleman
| he will not vote for a caucus nominee
nOw to be stained with corruption
and of low party views as well as prin-
ciples.
There is a joint resolution now before
the congress looking to a change in
the way the way of electing senators.
' II nrNxyido S for q cha pra in tho o0nCtJ-
tuition to elect senators by a direct vote
, of the people. The Philadelphia Re-
| cord is of the opinion that if the con
gress should adopt the resolution that
the states WOuld vote for its ratiffca-
ton. It Says:
There would be an end then of the
! scandals which have 50 frequently at
tended the election of United States
senators, and also Of the more or less
successful attempts of corruption to
thwart the popular will. Under exist
ing conditions if a state convention Of
either party should designate it's choice
for United States senator, n if a ma
jority of the members Of a legislature
should rbe elected under Instructions
and pledges to vote for such candidate,
there is no assurance that tine will of
the people would not he completely
balked. 1t would still be i'm the power
of a clique, sometimes OF two or three
. corrupt members, to nu1lify the choice"
A bill was introduced in the Virginia
legislature looking to some expression
as to the election of senators. We do
not know what was its fate. The bill
provided that the people express their
' choice for senators in voting for mem
bers Of the Legislature who were to
/; elect. South Carolina has already a
en- action and has provided for the
' election of senators by the people in
, stead Of the old Legislative way. If
we are rightly informed the last SEN
ator chosen, Mr.. McLaurin, who sue
ceeded himself, was chosen by popular
vote. The movement will steadily gain
public favor and in many states we,
may expect a change Of method.
There is no fairness or justice in the.
present method. You will find a state
small like Nevada, with actually less
population than it had forty years ago,
! sending two senators, and with but a
begearly As, 761 people in the so-called
state, while New York with over $780,
600 people has but two senator's. The
principle is wrong. a little state hike
Rhode Island-the size OF one OF the
big plantations on Roanoke river. In
this state, prior to the war-has two
senators and yet North Carolina with
ZOO, 600 and 500 miles across was but