The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-14

and IN the executive and judiciary
branches Of the government.
on he 6th of June. l1ss. in the virginia
Convention which ratified the Constitu>
tion Of the United States Mr.. Madison
again upheld the clause Of the Constllu>
ton under which we now elect senators,
and lcopted the careful and favorahle
analysis OF this subject previously SUD-
mitted by Mr. Nicholas.
Mr.. Madison Is also the author of NO
LXlI. OF the Federalist a. follows;
"It is equally unnecessary TO dilate on
the appointment Of senators by the state
Legislatures. Among the various modes
which might have been devised for com
shutting this branch Of the government
that which has been Proposed by the
convention is probably the most congenlal
with the public opinion, Ii is recom'
mended by the double advantage of faV'
oring a select appointment and of giving
To the State governments such an agency
in the formation OF the Federal Cow
eminent as must secure the authority
of the former and may form a convenient
link between the two systems
1t would be prcsumptuous for so cursory
a student as myself 10 say that In All
the food of elOquence poured out by
Mr.. Henry. before the Virginia Conven-
ton OF f7SS. no word OF criticism escaped
him as to the constitutional method OF
electing senators. ! have searched, how.
ever. without result. 1t is for those who
cite him 10 point TO chapter and verse.
with submission, however. | should have
been inclined TO think that Mr.. Henry
devotion 10 the rights Of the States would
have inclined him favoraby to this re-
cognition Of their Legislatures in the
Federal plan
Finally IL must be admitted that az "a
serious Argument the sortes Nirsilianae
or even the Sortes Jeffersonianae cannot
be admitted. Mr. JeherS0n's Il am not
among those who fear the people mas
about the same relation TO the present
subject as the dictum OF a recent states
man II am a Democrat" The ialla-
cousness Of 80 random a quotation Is at
once discovered by reference to what Mr..
Jefferson actually wrote on this subject.
II is welt known that Mr. Jefferson was
in France during the Federal Conven-
ton OF 1851. and the Virginia Ratifying
Convention Of i7sS His views upon the
new Constitution will be found in care
fully prepared letter addressed 20 James
Madison, dated December 20. l7s1. 80 far
from antagonfziHg the proposed plan for
Il Ike the power given the Legislature
to levy taxes and for that reason solely
approved Of the greater house being
chosen by the people directly. For though
] think a house chosen by them VIII De
very lily qualified 10 leslslate for the
union, Tor foreign nations. &c, yet TINS
evil does not weigh against the good OF
preserving inviolate the fundamental
principle that the people are not TO be
taxed. but by representation chosen I'M
mediately by themselves"
This latter observation Is in connection
with the Constitution provisions requiring
tax bills 10 originate in the House OF
Representatives,
Knowing as We all DO. the learning and
the ability OF the gentlemen signing the
call OF March 26th. must confess TO an
uneasiness in following a leadership
whose first public utterance instances
such inconsiderate preparation.
Whatever may have been the past or
recent Experience OF other States. | must
protest against certain implied reflections
upon the personnel OF the General AS
sembly Of Virginia. and beg leave TO re-
affirm the declaration OF the Hon. Henry
ST. George Tucker on the floor of tho
House OF Representatives ut is not only
the dangers of corruption in the election
or senators. to state AZ this point That
so far as my own State is concerned, and
many OF the States OF this Union, there
has never been any ground for a charge
OF corruption in the election of senator's
Finally. II the object OF the call be
merely the institution OF propaganda
in favor OF constitutional amendment
providing for the election OF senators by
the people. why such haste in preparation,
and why should the issue be complicated
by considering in the interim some
further means for the election OF party
senatorial candidates by some popular
method2
Are there a number OF senatorial as
pirants az present before the people OF
Virginia, Is there peculiar opposition
to ans gentleman who has submitted his
name TO the people? Ii either Of these
conditions exist. have not the people of
each county and city the right, often ex-
ercissd, OF voting instructions to their
representatives either by convention or
local urinary Can mere conference
or caucus interfere In the logical affairs
NJ the several counties or add an official
authority TO a right already possessed
bv the local committees,
wishing we'll 10 the general proposal
for a constitutional amendment submit
ting the election Of senator's directly To
the people. am unwilling 10 have the
MAIN question obscured bs' personal In
terests and factionai differences, ana