Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-15
ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE OF THE DEMO-
CRATIC LEAGUE FOR RE-
FORM IN TIE ELECTION
OF UNITED STATES
SENATOR'S.
To the Democratic Voters of Virginia.

SENATOR'S.
tn the Dcreerati,. yo.or, -, 1-.,,;,,;a.
One Of the sraNest questions which
has enlisted the interest Of thoueh,frl
ord ,,trio,;, 'o;,;..o,,..
.'"u H''''o''c 'i''"S"S or ne American
Union during the present generation
has been the Importance OF u change
m The mode of selecting United States
Senator's
When The method now embodied in
the constitution was cncrarted upon
tina. instrument IL its Trainers. ANA
for nearly half Il century thereafter.
the LEGISLATURES Of tho several states
We're wen nigh potential IN the control
of the country. and they were truly
representatives OF the people of th,,
several States under the conditions
which then prevailed. The legislatures
not only chose the Senator's bur for
many years they chose the electors for
President ana Vice President.
The existing method OF clcctinC Scna-
tors is the last remaining vostigc OF
the almost exclusive supremacy of tho
legislature. and. as has hccu truly soi0
il entirely out OF accord with Tho brond
and liberal extension OF the elective
franchise now everywhere prevailing.
Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and
their illustr!ouS successors III Office for
years We're chosen 10 the Office of Gov
eincr ~ tho Virginia Legislature. and
Il similar mode of selection was in
vogue i'll other States. At that period
| IL would nave been simply impossible
| lnr suSm ~. men as Marcus y. Hanna Of
oHI,' nulhas Z. fiatt. OF New York:
,,l''' i,'' HItan.ey quay. OF iennsylvanii
-, ~ navy Hcch n''uc members or that
"I T;,,., a., ,
Wa - ~ ~ JUS phSI thero
nnd in ,,n,i Va i'.u' rcl''toi.' ch'Seh
distinction 80 49, ~ 49, 'tie Sh'cl
that no was ei.ho'. hi,m.ois 80 ,, W. Ss
enormous wealth or mo ,.s,,r.,d,',o ="
OF great corporate Interests
OF these Mr. Chauncey NJ. Dcpew. the
PRESIDENT and renrcsoni,tive az ono ar
the great railroad systems of ON, conn
try, is perhaps one of the best He will
doubtless. before taking his seat, re-
sign his railroad pres ldcncy and proba-
niy sever his connection with the vast
computation of interests which lie has
So iuilS rSprcsehted as attorney. or
Vs',el" ise; nut would II be safe TO leave
sr;s SO ,, uev.S."i my IneStion winch may
rornoro ~ i,,aor ~, pr"ntc "nu me great
heon 90 - Ss.S WIN "hlch ne mas
Occurrcnrcs s,,ch ~. +ro-, 49,, A.,
scandals which in connoc,in,, ,,.;tu ~.
selection Of Senators In ,r,, 49, ~
States have been n rcproach TO tho
American people. have served IN ,ro,so
profound interest in this subject in
almost every portion of our country.
ON the 10th of May last n large ond
representative body nf Virginia Demo-
Gratis met in the city or Richmond to
give their sanction and support to tho
great movement FOR reform in the
method of the election OF United states
Senator's. The character and tho ,ction
of that meeting, ana the expressions
given before and since its assembling
TO The sentiments of the people upon
that question: demonstrates that a great
majority Of the Democratic voters OF
Virginia are in accord with the prin-
c!ples and the policy advocated by
what has now become known as Tho
May Conference"
That conference unanimously de-
clarcd that as the people are the source
OF all mower. they We're entitled to cleo,
their Senators, and that therefore. the
Federal Constitution should be 50
amended that United States Senators
should he chosen by the direct vote Of
the people OF the several States instead
OF ny the legislatures thereof
me conference also declared that,
pending the adoption of such constitu-
tlonaI amendments 1t favored the nom
nation of our party candidates for the
united states senate by state primary
electlons, and advocated the legislation