The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-30

mind clinginc u the old must now admit
that the existing method of electing SEN
ators in Congress is deficient and met
fcient. Deficient TO save our Republic
from the scandals which stink IN the nos
trils Of good citizenship. 10 clotne thls
high office in that respect ana honor
which should ever be its garb. The last
election in Montana II it were not so
traeical would be worthy W. ;. Gilbert
comic opera genius. There, Mr.. Clark.
a Democrat. was elected by Republican
votes. on the plea that he would make
So bad a representative that hts success
sor would certainly be a Republican. one
Of the Republicans who refused TO vote
for Clark in casting his final ballot
said substantially: MIR. Speaker. above
your chair I observe the flag OF our
country. which we an honor and revere.
In its presence We should do nothing
that will stain. Let as take IL down and
replace lt with the red flag Of auction. Is
It too much 10 say that IN the recent
senatorial contests a number Of auc-
tioneers did business without a license.
Were scandals isolated one might yet
hesitate 10 change. but unfortunately
they seem 70 be the rule rather than
the exception. The present system IS in
efficient as II has failed On several on
the States California. Utah, and Della
ware to elect a senator al all with the
result that the sOvereigntes OF the
States are no longer equal. Under me
existing method men are chosen as state
legislators not because OF their quallica-
tions. but because of their personal par
tlsanship for this or that candidate for
the United States Senate. Under the eN-
isting method large numbers Of citizens
are practically DISTINGUISHED and have
nothing to say even Indirectly I'm the
choice Of a United states Senator. But
for am admirable summary Of the reasons
demanding this salutary change J COM
mend your readers TO the call for the
May Convention.
As to what tho Nav Convention Will
pr0pose or will DO 1 am unable to say.
There is. as has been said, so FAR as
know. no cut and dried programme.
Personally. I feel now as the Droyosers
Of the Roanoke resolutions did at the
Gubenatorial Convention. and as I felt
i'm the last Legislature the principle is
more important than the details Let us
have "a plan and we will soon perfect
its imperfections. / take II. however,
that the Convention VIII formulate a plan
for tho securing Of primary elections
for the nomination Of senators I'm Con-
gress. This l should say would Droba-
bly, be by the passage Of bill through
the coming Legislature. Such plan
would not however. i'm any way effect
the election OF United States Sena-
tor by the coming Legislature. As 20
that the action OF the convention must
depend upon the conditions confronting
It. II there be only one candidate in the
field l see no reason why there need no
any action looking 10 a primary. IL
there are other candidates ! see no rea-
son why there should not be q popular
endorsement and no objection can be
urged to those who believe IN it. en-
deavoring 10 secure II in the most feasi-
bic and practical way. In the event OF
contest for the coming senatOrship the
State Committee might authorize a pri-
mary. but falling this I take it that
each county and city could determine this
question locally. " +. REDDY.
Richmond Va.