Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-11
EIECTIYG L. $. SENATOR'S.

The latest developments in respect 10
QUAY methods-the developments in the
McCarrell bill case-have added fresh
stimulus to the discussion of the problem
Of reform in eechng United States
senators. Several plans have been
suggested as substitutes for the
present method but only two are
receiving much consideration. one Of
these is the Hoar plan. which provides
that "if no person small have received
majority after seven separate ballots in
| Joint assembly. one of such ballots at
| least having been taken on seven separate
days the person who receives plurality
Of all the votes cast on the next ballot,
or. if there be no plurality. on the first
subsequent ballot where any person shall
have a plurality. a majority Of all the
members Of both houses being present
and voting. shall be declared duly elect
ed" The other is for the election of SEN
ators by the direct vote of the people.
As to the Hoar plan, however, the Phil
! adelphia Evening Telegraph Republicam
points out that it would play into the
hands of candidates who find themselves
1 in just the fix quay is in. Moreover, our
contemporary charges that there is a
/ conspiracy on foot among the Quay men
to have the plan pushed through The
purpose of the Quayites in determining to
stand by the boss to the end is, says the
| Telegraph, to keep the seat vacant for
the next two years. if it cannot be filled
at once by Quay. it being believed by his
! henchmen that he will still practically
control the Federal patronage of the state
! through the one senator who holds over.
| and will by this means be able to effect
/ the election next year Of a sufficient num-
Der of legislators to bring about his re-
election in 1901. Meanwhile nice scheme
has been concocted to ensure his success
at that time, or possibly at a special ses-
sion of the present Legislature called for
J the purpose of filing the vacant senator
ship next year. This scheme, explains the
| Telegraph. is nothing less than a vital
modification by act of Congress of the law
regulating the election of United States
senators. it being seriously proposed to
so change the act OF 1866 as to enable
plurality vote of the joint Assembly to
elect.
Section of Article l. of the Consti-
tuition provides that "the Senate of the
United States shall be composed of two
senators from each state chosen by the
Legislature thereof" &c. Section Of
the same article provides that "the times
places. and manner of holding elections
for Senators and Representatives shall be
prescribed in each State by the Legisla-
ture thereof. but the Congress may at
any time, by law, make or alter such reg
ulations. except as TO the places of choos-
| ing senators" AS to the number Of votes
necessary to elect a senator the COnsti-
tuition is silent That Congress has power
to prescribe the plurality plan. there is
no question. Indeed. the act to which our
Philadelphia contemporary calls atten-
ton. and which declares that a majority
of all the votes cast i'm the joint assembly
shall be necessary to a choice-a majority
OF all the members of both houses being
| present and yOting-was passed. says the
| Telegraph. as the result of the Stockton
| deadlock case in New Jersey This grew
| that State of resolution changing the
number of votes necessary to elect SEN
| ator from a majority to a mere plurality.
The ST. Louis Globe-Democrat Repub-
lican) also discusses at some length the
question of reform in electing senators.
and while IL does not commit itself in
| favor of or against either the Hoar or
the direct-vote plan. it is satisfied that
the issue will not down. 1t is evident, says
our ST. Louis contemporary, that some
sort Of change. which will render the e.ec-
ton of senators quicker than at present
and avert some of the scandals attendant
OF such contests as those in Delaware
| and Pennsylvania. will have TO be made
before many more years pass. And I'm this
view the Globe Democrat is sustained by
papers all over the country
The New Jersey Legislature has passed
a law making IL a misdemeanor for wo-