Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-13
uow Senators should lie Chosen.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch
Tho idea Of clecting United states sena-
tors nv the direct vote of the people mas
long been popular, but since the recent
legislative senatorial election scandals II
has grown into greater favor. Inc claim
that the present method is the best DC
cause the founders of our government
adopted if is not strong one, for it can
not be proved that its practice mas de-
monstrated its usefulness. our early
statesmen were wise and patriotic, yet
they did not devise perfect CONSTITUTIONS
The Virginia delegates to our constltu-
tional convention favored the popular
election Of senators. If their plan was
the best at that time IL is much the best
for the present Then there were 10
gigantic moneyed corporations. There
were not more than two millionaires IN
the country. Now there are more IMAM
thirty thousand, including probably one
third of the members OF the senate
There are some able statesmen in inc
Senate. but it is generally believed 10
have deteriorated on account Of the cleo
ton TO it Of several millonaires, VINO
aside from any disposition they may have
tn promote their business interests
through their high official positions, are
not experienced in statecratt, naturally
| the case with those whose lives nave
been spent mainly in amassing wealth.
II is said that if the popular method
Drevails political conventions 10 noml-
| nate candidates for the Senate VIII De as
easily unduly Influenced as legislatures
/ are now. But delegates TO such conVen-
/ tons would come with instructions from
their constituents. Even if politicians Sc
| cured the nomination OF an oDJecuohaDle
/ person the people could reject him at the
polls.
| We do not often hear Of the election or
millionaires as governors Of States on as
| members of the National House Of Rep
| resentatives. In the event OF elect.ng
| senators by a popular vote whether the
| political parties name candidates by pIl-
| marles or conventions, the people VIII
! make the final choice. Now there Is no
/ appeal from the decision OF a State Iesls-
| lature Prior TO 1924 electors for president
| and Vice-President were chosen by the
! legislatures of the different states, yet
! it is noe proposed 10 revert 10 that
method. State legislatures should deal
with state affairs only, and this matter
of electing senators, in which is involved
! national questions, should be attended TO
by the people.
The popular method was advocated in
| Congress BY William j. Bryan IN lSH
General Fitzhugh Lee has publicly COM
mended it, and Senator James Is. Jones,
| chairman OF the National Democratic
! Committee, has lately endorsed II. 1t is
! thoroughly in accord with Democratic
principles, and 10 help secure It the Dem
ocratic masses of Virginia should this
year instruct their candidates for the
| General Assembly and their hold-over
| State senators by primaries or conVen-
| tons or a general primary or general
convention, for whom TO vote for United
States senator, and one should be chosen
who will vote to amend the Constitution
giving the people their right 10 choose di-
rectlY.
As Virginia is affected by the whole
Senate. it is TO her interests not only that
her own people elect her senators, but
that the people of the other states elect
theirs. When the money power secures
the election Of one of its members on
agents 10 the Senate 1t has achieved a
great triumph, for senators are CHOSEN
for six years.
1t is hoped that the Richmond conven-
ton of May 10th will be attended BY rep
resentative Democrats from every sec
ton Of our State, and that they VIII lor'
| muate a good plan Of action. Canil
dates for the General Assembly should
be instructed in regard TO the senator
| ship. and not left liable to the Temptation
of supporting any candidate in return
for a campaign contribution.
The Senate has been defined as an As
semblage Of the Ambassadors Of tn
States" 1t is our highest legislative
body. confirms presidential nomination
ratifies or rejects treaties between IN
United States and foreign governments
consequently. it should be the peer o
any body of earth IN patriotism, states
; manship intelligence. and integrity.
This article is not meant as rehectioi
! on any legislator OF candidate Tor IN
Senate. United states senators and Stat
legislators are probably as honest ant
: are more intelligent than average men
but they can be sorely tempted TO IL
/; wrong. al other people can be, and shoil
: not be far removed from the supervisor
Of their proper masters. the severely
= people. CHARLES J. WAhh-"'
Vernon Hnl. Va. April .. 1893.