The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-14
CHOOSING OF SENATORS
Maj. 4. X. Lassiter Gives His Reasons
for Opposing a Change.

adoptinG such measures as may be
deemed best TO promote the election oil
senators of the United States by Cirect
vote 81 the people: and until TINS result
is accomplished the selection OF party
senatorial candidates by some popular
method"
while your communication Is addressed
''To tho Democratic Voters of Virginia"
il has been suggested that a limitation
or selection was intended by the language
or tic concluding paragraph;
"To such Democrats az hold 10 the
principle that the people are fully capa-
bic Of choosing their senator's, and who
are willing to unite with us in an effort
to secure to them that cherished right"
From such a distinguished and sincere
source. ] am unwilling 10 attribute more
than rhetorical roundness to THIS IAN
guage. deeming II impossible that any
Virginia Democrat could be believed will
ing to impugn the capacity Of our poo
pie TO choose their own senators. The
concluding language emphasizes that no
logical distinction was intended as no
right can be cherished that was never en-
joyed.
The submission Of a well considered
plan for the election Of senator's of the
United States by the direct vote Of the
people OF the several States has for many
years commended itself to me. ! am UNI
willing by the effect Of verbal fitness or
otherwise 10 be placed fn position OF
antagonism 10 such a movement / also
approve the widest discussion Of such
proposition whether through the public
prints, or on the husungs or by private
caucus.
Such a discussion while 1t might not
Immediately lead TO an adoption OF the
proposed constitutional amendment
would at least enable it's supporters to es-
cape criticism as TO a possible personal
interest, aroused by haste and careless
preparation Of facts.
While imbued with a reverential re-
spcct for the founders of our constitu-
t1oS. ! an not 81 those who believe that
any one or all of them spoke or was
capable Of speaking the last word OF no
litical wisdom. ! could not differ from
their well considered conclusions without
distressing the inclination Of my own
mind. This g. the general attitude OF the
people Of Virginia.
When. therefore Washington. Madi-
son. Randolph. Mason. Blair, Jefferson.
and Henry are quoted by gentlemen Of
position and learning I'm behalf Of pub
lie question the general mind Is az once
prepossessed i'm its favor Judge there
fore Of my disquict. upon consideration
Of virginia the general proposal Of
which met with my warm approval 10 be
unable 10 find that any Of the illustrious
characters called I'm our behalf had en-
hraced our side Of this contention. but
so far as they seem ~ be recorded at all
had spoken and voted on the contrary
side. Remote from libraries md his
tor'cal students. 7 must speak sub judice.
Section 3 Of Article !. Of the Constitu-
ton Of the United states Is as follows:
THE Senate Of the United States shall
be composed OF ;wo senators from each
state chosen by the Legislature thereof
for sig years; and each senator shall
have one vote"
This Is the section under consideration
for amendment. Without adverting TO
the plans proposed by Pinckney, Hamil-
ton and others for a federal constitution
this section took its origin in the NTH
resolution proposed by Mr.. Randolph on
May g. 1851. in the Philadelphia Conven-
ton which adopted the federal constitu-
ton.
Mr. Randolphs fifth resolution was in
part as follows:
THAT the members of the second
branch OF the National Legislature ought
to be elected by those of the first out
of a proper number Of persons nominated
by the individual Legislatures etc, etc.
on May 3lst this resolution was con-
sidered. and Mr.. Randolph being called
on 10 explain: "IIe observed that the
general object was 10 provide a cure tor
the evils under which the United states
ia00re6. that IN tracing these evils 70
their origin. every NAH had found II I'm
the turbulence and fOllies of democracy:
that some check. therefore was 10 be
sought for against the tendency Of our
governments: and that a good Senate
seemed most likely to answer this pur-
pose
Mr. Wilson. Of Pennsylvania. proposed
that Senators should Doe elected by the
people. and Mt Madison, of Virginia, an
tagonized this idea.
ION the whole question for eiecting
by the first branch out Of nominations
by the state Legislatures: Massachu-
serts. Virginia S9ath Carolina. ayes p
"Connecticut New York. New Jersey.
PENNSYLVANIA. Delaware North Carolina,
Georgia, noes. I.
on June eth this question as 10 the
election OF the Senate came on 10 be
further considered on the motion of Mr.
Dickinson. OF Pennsylvania. that the
members OF the second branch ought 70
he chosen by the individual Legislatures"
Whatever attitude OF opposition can be
attributed to the Virginia members Of
the convention i'm regard 10 this PROPOSE
ton. is familiar to every constitutional
student and has been emphasized In the
iaw schools of Virginia ever since. y had
absolutely nothing 20 DO with this mode
OF selecting Senators. and is well stated
in the note 70 Madison Papers vol. ,; p
SIG. as follows:
ut will throw light on the discussion
10 remark that an election by the state
Legislature involved a surrender OF the
principle insisted on by the large states.
and dreaded by the small ones, namely.
that of "a proportional representation in
the Senate"
When the compromise was effected
guaranteeing an equal representation in
the Senate 10 every State. 10 opposition
- tIe present plan seems 10 have been
developed in the convention. except on
the part of Mr.. Wilson. OF Pennsylvania,
whose motion for referring the election
10 the people was defeated; PENNSYLVANIA
alone voting aye. Ten other States, in
Guiding Virginia, voting no.
Upon the rejection OF this motion OF
Mr.. Wilson. Colonel Mason, or Virginia,
supported the original motion Of Mr..
Dickinson. and that motion was adopt
ed by every State which had participated
In the convention, except New Jersey
whose vote is not recorded. Madison Pa
pers vol. ?; p. S2l.
u w9H be remembered that the States
cast each one vote. and that Washington,
Randolph Blair. Madison, Mason, Wytne
and McClurg were the delegates from the
Old Dominion.
Whatever Inaccuracies may enter into
a hasty political phamplet II seems inju-
dicious 10 quote the following language
fn