The age-herald., 1898-04-08
TECHNICS FROM
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defects of government are made appar- ent, through the necessities of the people
 While a country is on the high seas of prosperity with the incoming and outgoing tides freighted with the rich cargoes of es- sential wealth, changes in either the funda- mental or lesser principles of national pol- icy are not deemed imperative by the peo- pie. They naturally hesitate to alter any thing for fear of alteration bringing in some degree, curtailment of present good.
 A citizenship outgrows it's environment in the evolution of advancement and progress, and it is only when they are forced to con- front a great issue, a momentous question. that the minds of the people are aroused to the weaknesses of their government. and the limitations of their conditions.
 The demand for a constitutional conven- tion, which is becoming insistent in every part of Alabama, indicates that Alabam- ians are awakening to the fact that they have long since outgrown the present con- stitution which limits the best aspirations and ambitions of the people.
 The constitutional convention is as posi- tive a certainty as that tomorrow's sun shall rise and set. The only matter con- corning it about which there can be any serious debate, Is the time of Its converting. The press and the people are rapidl ybecom- ing a unit in demanding it. Prejudice and conservatism are yielding to the voice or that rapidly growing majority, which rep- resents the broad-minded, patriotic citizen- ship of the state.
 There are several matters besides bet- ter free school system and an educational test of political suffrage that Alabamians should demand in no uncerain terms when change is made in the laws regulating the machinery of the state.
 One of these needed alterations has been quietly but consistently thrusting itself upon the people of this and other states, and is of vital importance to each com- monwealth. It Is nothing more nor less than giving to the people directly without any intervening agent the right to elect the men who shall represent them in the senate of the United States!
 There seems to be small reason for the election of the senators by the state legis- latures while the representatives in the national congress are voted for by the people. One class of representatives Is as important in carrying out the peoples in- terests as the other, and the views of the masses should be just as much reflected in a senator's election as in that of member of the lower house.
 It is answered in opposition to this view now held by a large body of thoughtful men that the members of the legislature who cast their votes for senators have been elected by the popular vote, that they are fresh from the people," and consequently reflect the opinions of their constituents. In the majority of instances they do this but in many cases shame be upon them. minor elections cause legislators to bars gain, barter and trade until their votes for so elevated an office as that of United States senator represents no political prin- ciple They are often only a price paid for favors received.
 But above and beyond this view of the question Is the necessity of keeping the men who represent state in national coun- cils in close touch with the people, whose interests they are expected to protect. No man, no matter how intellectual or how fars seeing and broad-minded, can remain near to the hearts of his constituents unless in constant contact with them. long, ur1- interrupted residence in Washington, varied occasionally by tours to foreign lands, will inevitably separate the most conscientious statesman from the sympathies of the peo- pie who have honored him.
 Unless a man can come once a year among his constituents, spend large part of his recess with the citizens who have elevated him, keep in touch with their as- pirations and become familiar with their nd tc ba his hold on the state he represents.
 If senators were dependent upon the masses for their election. they would not find it such grevious hardship to spend months of each year at their former homes.
 A man outlives his usefulness in almost any capacity when he separates himself from the people at large. Surely. man who is honored with such an office as United States senator owes much to the citizens who have elevated him. He owes much more than a brief trip home just be- fore he is to stand for reelection.
 As soon as the people shall have power to elect the senators 1t will be seen that these men will more nearly reflect the opin- ions of their constituents on all questions touching the public and private good.
 In the future Alabamians should be ac- corded the right to elect their senators, as they do their representatives, in congress. When such time arrives senators will find the hills and valleys, the cities, towns, the farms and factories at the national capi- tol An occasional visit to Alabama would convince the most pugnacious belligerent senator or congressman who basks in the luxurious, ease-inviting atmosphere of Washington, for indefinite periods. that their constituents are not spelling for fight" with Spain or any other nation. They want peace, If it can be preserved on hon. orable terms; they want nothing which will make the present conditions harder to bear If Alabama's delegation at Washing ton could return to the state for a few days they might be surprised to find how sullenly the great masses of the people are receiv- ing the fiambogant war telegrams, which predict immediately hostilities.
 AIoharna's greateSt. most impera.