The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-07-26
sPREca or HON ALBERT m,
TODD, OF MICHIGAN
In the House of Representatives, Wed
nesday, May II, 1898.

EQ61On DEOVAuA1R LUZ blS CACG1ACA VI
Senators Of the United States
\ Mr.. Todd said:
Mr.. Speaker: The enactment into
law of the bill now under considera
ton will mark a new era in u ma
tion's history, add a new milestone in
the on ward march Of human progress,
and enlarge the boundaries of our ma
tional advancement.
For, sir, not only are the provisions
of the bill most wise and just, but of
still higher interest is the fact that the
enactment oil this msasur will legally
reanrm that great principle on which
our Republic WAS founded, that the
people are the sovereign power and the
true source of government. Hence,
cir, I trust that this measure shall be
but the vanguard Of oilers TO follow
which shall restore in TACT, a. we'll as
in name, "a government of, by, and
for the people"
THE FUTURE DESTINY OF U RE
PUBLIC.
Sir. I believe the enactment of thie
measure will so enlarge opportunities
and awaken the enthusiasm Of the
American people that no supernatural
vision will be needed TO see with pro-
phetic eye the exalted place which
u Republic will occupy among the
nations of the earth. Aud as Greece
was the mother of philosophy, liter
atura, and art, and the early cradle of
patriotism and vaIor, and as the great
commonwealth of the Roman repub
lie sought to emulate all the achieve
ments Of the Greeks, and added a sys-
tenn of jurisprudence upon which the
codes of modern nations are etill
founded, it has been reserved for our
Republic to blend the virtues of all
preceding nations in one, and, like
the masterpiece Of the Greek artist, to
exhibit in a single work the beauties
OF every master and the perfection of
every model"
The great author OF the Declaration
OF independence himself, supported
By the conscience and judgment of the
noblest patriots of the Revolution, who
said, "We are not of those who fear
to trust the people," struggled faith
fully and long that both United States
Senators and United States judges
should, under authority of the Consti
tuition, beelected directly by the people.
And it was his Astounding faith in the
integrity of the common people which
inspired Jefferson, as if by a divine
influence, TO write his Magma Charta
Of human rights, which will remain
through eli time the dearest tribute to
human virtue, aud the most splendid
monument of craftsmanship and pa
triotism.
INFLUENCE OF ARISTOCRACY IN LIMITING |
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
But unfortunately for our republic, |
when the final draft Of our national Con
stitution was submitted to the States
for ratification, the influence of those
who were ''atraid to trust the people"
the Tories OF the Revolution, and
those whose interests or associations
still with royalty, had forced
many compromises, among which
were the methods Of the election Of
Senators and judges Of the United
States Supreme Court, and with the
uniform tendency to conservatism in
the decisions Of the Supreme Court,
with the influences which dominate
their nominations, u national Consti-
tHtfonal as now ~judicially construed is
shorn of it's power to defend the PEG
pie against many invesions of their
inherent rights.
We're it not, Mr. Speaker, that the
present system of election of Senators
was enjoined by the Constitution, it
would be difficult to imagine @ single
RRson or shadow Of q defense for this
p stem And, sir, with the yearly re
III ring scenes of disgrace, debauchery,
corruption which accompany the
election Of a United States Senator,
there is now no shadow, even, Of de
tense for the continuance of the pres.
ent system. The actual experiences in
the present system for over a century
OF our cauntry's history are far more
potent than theories. The scenes of
corruption aud bribery attending the
election Of Senators are matters of
such universal know Wedge that no need
Kiats 10 -eciGe their horrible details
To day one Senator stands convicted
OF bribery by a majority of the com
mittee OF the legislature of his State
appointed ID investigate his electi 10.
The large sums of money used in this
contest, the coercion, the consequent
riots, and the effect upon the public