The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-03-28

ing Senators, Mr.. Gerry, of Massachu-
sets, insisted that the commercial and
moneyed interests would be more secure in
the hands of the State Legislatures than
of the people at large
James Madison, on The other hand, de-
clared that the great fabric to be raised
would be more stable and enduring If 1t
should rest upon the solid foundation of
the people themselves than II il should
stand merely upon the pillars OF the Leg
islatuTes themselves The declaration Of
Thomas Jefferson-T am not among those
who fear the people'-need not have been
preserved TO assure US where the judg-
ment and sympathies of the founder Of
Democracy were placed on this question;
nor can il b. doubted that Patrick Henry,
the matcAloSs defender of popular rights,
approved the judgment of Washington,
Madison, Randolph, Mason, and Blair,
who cast the influence and vote OF Virginia
against the election OF Senators by the
Legislatures, end over whose better judg-
ment that provision was Incorporated IN
the Federal Constitution. The sentiment
of the great Nirginians of that day, with
out regard to party. approved the cleo
ton OF Senator's by the people, and IL
may be affirmed without hesitation that
confidence in and reliance upon the peo-
pie 10 govern themselves is inherent in
the plan upon which God built Virginia
UldHHODu-
Series of II Ideous Scandals.
1T is not to be denied that the Senate
of the United States contains statesmen
of high ability and character, but il
must be conceded that the average intel
lectual and moral stature of its members
is growing less and less. while the intel-
lectuai cultivation CT the masses Of the
people attains daily higher and higher
stages Who does not know that in many
Of The States the influence of great cor
porations is more potent in the election
Of Senators than the sentiment OF tie
mass OF voters? And how often have
the LEGISLATURES chosen those who were
scarcely known 10 the people and Dc
had decreed? The Senatorial elections
and contests Of the past and passing
year in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Ne
braska, Utah, Nevada, California, Mary
land. and Montana present a close series
OF hideous scandals such as shock the
moral sense of the country, while AT the
same time furnishing new and indisputa-
bic testimony against the wisdom Of a
plan capable of such Dissertation and
abuse.
But this question has now passed be-
the minds of the people are firmly made
up. The House Of Representatives OF the
United States has repeatedly and by an
almost unanimous vote passed resolutions
to amend the Constitution so as TO give
the people the right to choose their Sen
ators, but the Senate has as often stifIed
those resolutions in committee, not daring
10 discuss them in open session, well
knowing that 10 do so would be 10 sign
the death warrant Of many OF its men,
hers aspiring 10 reelection. This sullen
ard defiant silence on the part OF the
bsnehcfaries OF the vicious system is In
Itself a convincing argument that the
remedy has Eeen too long delayed Many
OF the States OF the Union nave. through
their Legislatures, called upon Congress
10 submit 10 the people OF the States an
amendment 10 the Constitution. giving IL
. them the right 10 elect their Senators by
direct vote IN California, more than nine
tenths of the voters OF the State. al a
recent popular erection, voted in favor OF
a change: and within the past few weeks
the LEGISLATURES Of North Carolina and
Missouri unanimously passed resolution.
instructing their Senators 10 support a
resolution 20 so amend the Constitution.
supported by Bryan.
"In The Fifty-second Congress. the Hon
William ]. Bryan. then representative
from the State OF Nebraska, introduced
and earnestly supported resolution "a
accomplish this great reform: and. with
( in the past few weeks. the National
/ Chairman Of the Democratic Party, Kim
self a United States Senator, mas said
/ i am in favor Of the election Of Senators
bv the direct vote OF the people. / have
changed my views upon this subject With
/ IN the last year or TIVE. The whole peo-
ME cannot be debauched by money OF
otherwise: IL l. safest 10 put all the power
We can In their haGis.'
/ The doom OF this relic o. a dark past
/ Of the age when the people we're moi
/ trusted with the custody OF their Owl
rights and liberties. - already written
| The question OF the hour is; Shall ths