The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-13
AN INDIANA EXAMPLE.
Object Lessons Against EIectinS Sem
atOrs by Popular Vote.
Washington Post

The advocates Of the pending amendment
OF the Constitution providing for the cleo
ton OF senators by popular vote appear to
be greatly encouraged by deadlocks and
other troubles in some of the legislatures on
which has deVolVed the duty Of choosing
senators for the term beginning on the 4th
OF March, 1889. 1t is true that, in a few in
stances, there is vexatious delay and it may
be that the best possible result will not, in
every case be attained. But this does not
prove that the proposed change ought to be
adopted. 1t does not weaken any of the ar
guments in favor of letting that feature of
the Constitution severely alone
We do not PROPOSE at this time, to enter
upon discussion of the merits of the ques-
tion for the ground has been Travelled over
so often that our readers are familiar with
every part of 1t. And. besides, there is little
necessity or excuse for expending time in
attacking proposition that has no chance
of success. The history of efforts to change
the fundamental law of the Republic fur
nishes an almost absolute assurance that
senators will continue for many decades to
be elected by the state legislatures.
But we find one statement in an alleged
argument in support of the proposed change
effect that in all the States where there is
sharp competition" for the senatorial prize
there are reports of scandalous proceed
ings." This is not true by any means but
if it were an established fact It would have
little force as a reason for changing from
legislative to popular election; The field for
scandalOuS operations would not be less
broad or inviting If state convention were
substituted for a legislative body.
In what States is there sharper cOmpe-
tition in all things political than in Indiana
In what State are there more competitors
for a seat in the United States Senate than
were gathered at Indianapolis a few weeks
ago? Where is the State in which money
has, in times past, been more lavishly or
more corruptly used in influencing the popu-
lar vote than in Indiana? There is
no other commonwealth in which PARTISAN
ship is so robust and Virile, and where
campaigns are attended by intenser excite
ment. The election of 1898 gave the Repub-
in fhA aurfg 1att ,s,1
placed a senatorship at the disposal of that
majority. There was no senatorial cand-
date before the people during the campaign,
so that the legislators were uncOmmitted
and uinstructed. There was no one candi-
date whose special or peculiar fitness had
so impressed itself upon the people as to
give him a lead 1t was, in fact, free-fOr-
all race and the conditions We're just such
as in some other States have on various
occasions. produced shameful scandals,
But when did Indiana have a senatorial
scandal? Never in the history of that
Commonwealth has her fame been tar
nished by even a hint of an ATTEMPT to buv
an election 10 the Senate Even when cor
ruption ragged in the campaign and culmi-
mated in bribery at the polls, it did not show
its head in the legislature Poverty and
wealth have always had an equal chance in
competition fol seat in the United States
Senate from the Hoosie: State.
The election of a senator to succeed
Mr. Turpie was the occasion OF more than
usually exciting contest. Aspirants for the
honor opened headquarters and went to
work to win support. But no hint of any
dishonorable act. word or purpose marred
the proprietes. And the result was as cred
liable to the State as it was to the Sena-
tor-elect, Mr.. BeVeFidge. Without influential
connections without a record as a legisla-
tor. with no machine to push his candidacy
and handicapped by the fact that his city Is
the home of one Of the States representa-
tives in the Senate this young man carried
eff the prize for which statesmen of expert
ence We're hopeful aspirants. We can recall
no triumph moro distinctly creditable than
this. And to those who insist on transfer
ring election Of senators from Legislatures
to the voting masses-which means the
state conventions-in order to check corrup-
ton, we respectfully commend a study of
this Indiana example