The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1899-02-04
The VOICE OF TIE PEOPLE.


Just at this time the question which
most closely appeals TO the people OF
the United States. aud particularly 10
the people of the West is the matter OF
the election OF United States Senators.
We all know the difficulties which arise
under the present system, the delays,
the deadlocks, and frequently the de-
feat OF the peoples Will. The remedy
lies unquestiouably in popular
election of United States Sen
ators. The Democratic party in 1895
attempted to give the people the near
est opportunity possible under our
Constitution to express their prefer.
ence upor this matter by placing the
names of the two candidates chosen by
the Chem territorial convention upon
the ticket. thus virtually pledgIng the
legislative candidates. IL elected. TO
support the gentlemen named. During
the course Of the agitation upon this
question In 1896 several prominent
Democratic In Utah were requested TO
give their views upon this subject.
The only one who responded, so far as
we can ascertain. was Judge w. N.
Dusenherry OF Provo, and we print
below the report Of the address OF the
Judge as delivered before the Timpa-
nogos society In August, 1895, upon
this question, and published IN the
Daily Dispatch of Provo. August 80,
1895. II Is worthy OF the careful peru
sal ofeveryone interested In govern
me II Of, for. and by the people. Judge
Dusen berry said;
The Democratic territorial commit.
tee asks conventions OF that party ito
consider the proprieiy OF indicating
their preference OF persons TO be Sc
lected by the legislature as United
States Senators from the State Of
Utah" This proposition will approach,
as nearly us possible, the same results
as II there were an amendment TO the
Federal Constitution on'this subject.
AR. President, actuated as am by
al earnest desire for the welfare of the
people Of Utah, and the extending to
them the greatest measure of liberty.
! am equally solicItous Of seeing the
QemocratIc party lead, as 1t ever has
slhce It's birth. in giving equal rights
Ia all men. II the people OF state
haye enough Intelligence to choose
their representatives In the State Iegis.
Iainre, their executive officers. their
judges aud officials In all the depart
meuls Of the State and county. they
have enough intelligence TO choose the
men who shal represent them In the
United States Senate.
TO oppose even the semblance Of the
popular election OF Senators is TO ques-
lion the wisdom Of our form OF govern
ment. The reasons for this, that exist
today, did not exist at the time of the
adoption OF our Constitution. We know
that today great corporations exist ia
our States different TO what existed one
hundred years agoi powerful combines
that are able to compass the election of
their tools and agents through the H.
strumentallly OF. State legislatures. as
they could not If senators were elected
more directly by the people.
IL may he urged that conventions
will nominate. Yes, but behiud con-
MENTIONS stand the voters, aud the dele
gate to convention dare not support
a man whom the members OF legis-
lature might vote for with impuuity.
The candidates nominated by a con-
yention must appeal TO the voters, but
the candidate chosen by legislative
caucus app ais 70 no one. aud is re-
eponslble 10 no one. Men have IN the
past been elected TO the Senate 4 the
United States whom 20 party ia that
State would have dared 10 nomlnaie;
Ind II we believe the half we hear and
read from Republican sources the peo-
pie have reason to shuddervith fear
as 70 the fate that may await them in
this lair commonwealth
For macy years few questions have
Agltated The minds Of the American
people mere than the incidents result
ing from the present Constitutional
netpod q eleeting United States sen.
aturs. Upon occasions III these slee.
lions Dy tbe allieren, legislatures upeo
and hasrant cpsrges 81 belnefy. Ven.
s'l'y and corruption hare become the