Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-11-09

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cnse. But the constitution was amend
ed so as 10 forbid slavery and no HARM
but only good, followed. Other amend
ments. fifteen in all. have been made
from time to time. Good rs the origl-
nal constitution was, no one will claim
that it has not been immensely inn
proved by these amendments, some OF
which changed the primary scheme
radically, while others dealt with con-
dtions either new or very different
from those that once existed. No
amendment has ever been stricken out,
or even altered a particle. so that 1t Is
fair TO assume that our statesmen OF
later DAYS are not much behind their
predecessors in adapting the iunda-
mental law, as often as the attempt
has been made.
Ii seems to us that it is not only per-
INVISIBLE. but matter of duty, to study
carefully wherein it is possible to so
amend the constitution that 1t shall
better perform its purposes, as set
forth in its comprehensive preamble.
So strong is the power ofconservatism
and so brilliant the halo that surrounds
it. that the fear is rather that unworthy
attempts to amend will fail than that
rash and unwise steps will be taken.
The theoretical framework of our
form of government had in its concep-
ton. as a legislative branch, Con
gress composed of two houses, one
whose membership should be based on
the factor Of population alone, and the
other. which should consist Of two
members from each state. whether
large or small. This gave the small
states an undue representation, but IL
was necessary in order to secure the
adoption Of the constitution by enough
of the colonies to make it binding
The idea was advanced that whereas
the House would represent the people,
the Senate would stand for the states,
though it is hard to see what the diff
ference is between the state and the
people OF the state or what interests
the former can possibly have that are
not Just as dear to the latter. But such
was the idea, and in furtherance of it
the constitution requires that the sen
atorS shall be elected-not by the peo-
pie of the several states-but by the
legislatures. There may have been
some vague idea that it would be UNI
safe to entrust the people with the
choice of both branches of the national
Congress directly, and that the mem
bers of the so-called higher body should
be selected for them by the body which
stands closest to the state-the legis-
lature. 1t il somewhat surprising that
the many objections and weaknesses
inherent to this plan should not have
been apparent even in prospect to the
constitution makers, and caused them
to pause. OF all the weak points in
the organic law at present, this is the
worst-the election of United States
senators by the state legislatures.
The fear of popular sovereignty has
long since passed in this country No
one questions the ability of American
citizenship to rule itself for its OWL
best good Little by little. all barriers
have been swept away. Instead of the
choice OF president being entrusted tC
the electors. as was the federal plan
the electors have become mere pup
pets to register the peoples will. All
places of prime Importance, save the
higher judicial seats, are filled by di
! rect vote of the people. Nearly al
: legislatures are based on population
: and elected without any mediation
e TO suppose that people capable o
governing itself in every other particu
e lar is incapable of choosing its fedora
j. senators is ridiculous on the face. No
: body believes anything of the kind.
J, If we have shown that no harm
+ would come from the election of sena
e tors by popular vote, we must ais
u show that real added benefit woul'
y follow before we can overcome the in
, ertia OF existing custom, fortified b,
y the idolized and idealized constitution
e This. too, can be done. Any studen
e of politics knows with what ease a fey
h men, assembled as state Legislature
/ can be handled, either by influence, o
n bosses, or money, compared to the tas
II of swaying thousands and millions q
r voters. This is the reason that 5
10 many weak and corrupt men are sen
20 to the Senate. Ii has become the pal
= adise of bosses and their tools, aud
q position of honorable retirement 70
g. men of great wealth, who have nc
= hesitated to buy their way in. Tru,
/ not all Senator's are of these classes, bU
o. Such ne arc Crainpd fhair Saate hocoua