The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-20
this vote as it appears in the call. Is

this vote as it appears in the CALL Is
absolutely and literally correct
Mr.. Lassiter has also fallen into error
in saying that the motion OF Mr. WILSON,
Of Pennsylvania. made in the commute
OF the Whole, "for referring the erection
20 the people Pennsylvania alone NoOii5
aye lt Will be apparent 10 inc inost
casual reader. upon an examination OF
the text of the proceedings or journal
that no vote was had upon THIS PROPOSE
ton The question was "f0r postponinS
Mr. DickinsOn's motion, referring the
appointment Of the Senate 10 the state
LEGISLATURES ia order 20 consider Mr..
Wilson's for referring II to the people
Mr.. Wilson desired that this proposition
should be first voted upon but his mo-
ton 90 that effect received but one vote.
that of his own State Journal C0nstitu-
ti0nal Convention. p. 100. Mr. Dickinson.s
suggestion having been accepted by the
Committee without dissenting vote
there was no occasion for a Eote upon
Mr. Wilson's suggestion. TO elect Seha-
tors by the people. and as matter Of
fact there was none.
Mr.. Lassitor further CHALLENGES the
statement in the call that Mr.. Madison
favored tho election OF Senator'S Oy the
people, Notwithstanding that the LAM
guage of that great and far-seelng states
man. quoted in tho call. would seem -
be too clear and explicit 20 admit Of doubt
! cannot find a. word or line IN the
Journal kept hv Madison 10 support Mr..
Lassiter's assertion that MIR. Wilson of
Pennsylvania proposed that Senator'S
should he elected by the people. and Mr..
Madison Of Nirgnia, antagonizcd this
idea. AIR. Wilson. in Commitie or the
Whole. suggested the mode OF choosing
tho Senate of Now York" and AR Mad
ison antag7nized that idea journal
Constitutional Convention p. S.
Hut. in order 90 place MT Madison
position upon this question beyond all
controversy. and to establish for all time
to como that he was opposed to the cl0c-
ton VI Senator's by the people. Mr. Las
sitter quotes the following passage from
$50. LNlI of the FodCrallst the author
ship NJ which he attributes % Mr.. Mad
ison:
"It Dis equally unnecessary 10 dilate on
The appointment OF Senators y the State
Legislatures. Among the various modes
which might have been devised for con-
shutting this branch OF the government
fh1t which has boon proposed by the con-
ycntion is probably the most congcnial
with the public opinion. To is recommend
Cd select appointment and Of giving 20 the
state governments such an agency I'm the
formation of tho Federal government as
must secure the authority OF the former
and may form a convenient link between
the two systems"
Tho only comment I make upon this IS
that SO. LNII of the Federalst was not
written by Mr.. Madison. and that there
fore. this paragraph could not have been
written 10y him. Mr. Alexander Hamt-
t0n the great Federalist who openly
ayoWod in tho convention that he did NOT
favor "a republican form of government.
was The author of no. LNIL The Fcd-
cralist and other constitutional papers.
Volume T.. page $780, This book 'was pub
lished as late as 1925. and IS "a reprint 0f
Warmers ed-ion Of the Fodoralist of
1873 There are other inaccuracies and
misleading statements in Mr. Lassiter's
letter. hut I shall pass them hy un-
noticed They viii doubtless cause him
no disGuictudo. and have already writ
ten enough to show that as a critic he
is NOT great Success
Although J nave shown c0nc'u-'vcly
that th. vote of Virginia boo the Federal /
Convention was against tho method now /
u vogue for eioctng Senators. and tnfre' J
by convicted Mr.. Las-lter of The charge !
Of "ine0usidortte preparation which he /
20 lightly and incOus.dcrtely brought /
against the -.encrs of the call for the /
Nav convention. LET b. Doe distinctly un- /
derstood that tho advocates OF the popu- /
lar election OF Senators do not base their |
upon tho fact persuasive as
30 may Dee chat tho Virginia Deputies.
with George Washington az their head, /
voted against the election OF Senators by
boo farf .'Ifurr-