The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-21
GgowINGIN POPULARITY.

The Philadelphia Record now comes TO
the front as an advocate of the PROPOSE
ton 10 elect Senators TO Congress by pop
ular vote The Record says that next
after Ohio comes Maryland to enforce the
argument in favor of this change.
After reviewing briefly the situation in
the Maryland Legislature. the Record
says:
There Is n Joint resolution in both
Houses Of Congress providing Tor an
amendment OF the Constitution so as to
elect Senators by a direct vote OF the
Deople III this resolution should be
passed there IS little doubt that 1t would
be speedily ratified by n sufficient num-
Der OF States. There would be an END
then OF the scandals which have so IRE
ouently attended the election OF United
State Senators, and also Of the more or
less successful attempts Of corruption TO
thwart the popular will Under existing
conditions If a State convention OF either
party should designate its choice for
United States Senator, and II a majority
Of the members OF a Legislature should
be elected under instructions and pledges
to vote for such candidates. there IS no
assurance that the will OF the people
would not be completely baked. II
would still be in the power OF clique,
sometimes Of two or three corrupt mem
bers. TO nullify the choice.
Our contemporary then goes on TO point
out this difference that whereas in the
case Of Presidential electors no member
Of the Electoral College would dare cast
q vote contrary 10 his instructions, tho
violation of instructions in regard TO a
United States Senator by the members OF
a Legislature IS, if successful. too often
applauded or condoned as smart poll
tics. And this in conclusion:
II the pending amendment should be
adopted it is probable that a large ma
jority Of the Senators would not be per
snally affected by the change Some Of
them have been popular and useful mem
hers Of the House or Governors OF their
States, and their promotion has been
made in recognition of their merits and
services. II Senators had been elected
by the people in their respective States
there is little doubt that most OF them
would have been chosen by the popular
vote quite as readily as by the Legsla-
lures. But If there be too much oppo-
stiOn TO a complete change, why should
not the Constitution be so amended as
to give each State the right TO choose it's
Senators In its own way, either by its
Legislature or by the vote OF its people?
This would afford the opportunity OF
fully comparing the merits of the two
methods
In the beginning there were reasons
which are well known for this method of
choosing United States Senators. But as
matters now stand there is absolutely no
argument in favor of holding on 10 this
old custom which has proven itself to be
a complicated way Of doing n simple
thing. frequently causing n deadlock, or
n scandal. or both, and too often thwart-
ing the will Of the people.
Quite naturally members Of the Sem
ate are opposed 20 changing the system
by which they were elected but If the
people Of the several States will adopt
the primary plan and convince the mem
beers of the Senate that their election is to
be hereafter to all intents ana purposes
by popular vote the Senate will eventual
~ give up the fight and let the people
have their way.
Every state that adopts the primary
plan. therefore. takes a step in the direc-
ton Of this reform. ana that is why we
urge the passage OF the Reddy bill now
pending in the Virginia Legislature II
the bin becomes law. it will not only
give the people Of Virginia an opportunity
for expressing at the polls their prefer
ence for Senatorial candidates, but II will
be an effective blow struck in the inter-
est of choosing our Senators by direct vote
Of the people. The Reddy bill as amended
meets every objection and should pass.