Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-26
LET THE PEOPLE SAY,
Movement Se|ectiOnOf
Senators BY yPOpuIaT Vote
MEETING TO Be HELD HERE.
4 Conference Of All Interested Called
for Thursday, May iiih.
POPULAR DEMAND FOR 4 CHANGE.
Address Issued by Influential Demo-
Gratis, Pointing Out Objections TO
the Present Systcm-other states
Arc Taking Acticn.
POPULAR DEMAND FOR A CHANGE.

"ro such Democrats as hold 10 the
principic that the people are fully
capable of choosing their senators.
and who are willing 10 unite with
us in nm effort TO secure to them
that cherished right, the invitation
is hereby extended to assemble In
the city Of Richmond on Thursday.
the nth day of May. 1899. for the
purpose of adopting such mensures
ns may be deemed best 10 promote
the election OF senators of the
United states by the direct vote of
the people. ana until that result is
accomplished, the selection os party
lar method"
This IS the concluding paragraph Of an
address issued last night to the Demo-
cratic voters Of Virginia The signers,
ffty-two I'm number. are among the lead
iag men Of the State. Tho list embraces
the names OF Attorney-Genoral Monta-
Gue. Congressman Rixey. Lamb. and
Jones; ex-Congressmen John Goode.
George j.. Wise. and James ". Marshall:
nine members and as many ex-members
Of the General Assembly. and others Of
equal prominence in various sections OF
the Commonwealth.
The issuance Of the address IS believed
% have been practically agreed upon at
the time Of Congressman Jones's visit 10
Richmond two weeks ago, when a num-
Der Of gentlemen prominent I'm political
600 e.
over quite fully. There has been more or
less talk for some months OF such a con-
ference as is proposed
THE ADDRESS.
The address follows:
To the Democratic Voters OF Virginia.
The demand for q change I'm tine me-
thOd OF eiecting United States senators
is so widespread and so imperative that
The issue thereby raised cannot longer
be wisely or safely avoided by the Demo
Gratis of Virginia. The sentiment in favor
OF tho election Of senator's by direct vote
OF the people IS not of recent origin; but
fits growth in the present decade is un-
equailed in our entire history. That it has
been Quickened immensely by the shock
ing disclosures of the legislative scandals
which have disgraced many of the states
OF the Union is painfully apparent. and
their effect upon the public conscience
cannot have escaped the most Indifferent
observer Of passing events. Indeed. the
situation has become well-nigh intolerable
in many ~ the States. The people of
Virginia cannot remain insensible to con-
ditions so fraught with peril 10 our in
stitulOns
IEPRESENT SPECIAL INTERESTS.
Too often senators of the United States
dQ not represent the body of the people
Cf the several States. but very frequently
represent special corporate interests or
special classes. Morufying as this fact
must be 20 every lover OF our government,
81 is no recent discovery, although the
c,l consequences and bitter degradation
involved in il have of late been presented
with frequent and impressive emphasis.
Ihe vice i'm the existing method of elect
irg senators was detected by many of the
wisCst of the founders Of the republic
40 the very beginning OF their great task.
among them the Virginia patriots whose
opinions at this date are accepted as the
most valuable political legacics that have
come down 20 us from all the past. These
men had an inherited and instructive
love or liberty and abhOrrence of tyranny
iH any form. which armed them with
the power Of genius TO carry out their
nfqh resolve TO have for themselves and
during free government resting upon the
iree viii of free people. The argument
f0r the present system was made IN that
day frankly and without disguise. One
of the most prominent advocates OF the
legislative method Of clecting senators,
Alr Gerry. OF Massachusetts, insisted
that the commercial and moneyed inte-
rests would be more secure in the hands
of the State legislatures than OF the people
20 large"
MADISON AND JEFFERSON.
James Madison ON the other hand, Ce-
cared that the great fabric 10 be raised
would be more stable and enduring il II
Should rest upon the solid foundation OF
r. rcoplc themselves than IL il should
F merely upon the pillars of the l4e-
lures themselves.
It. declaration OF Thomas Jefferson
.m NOE among those who Tear the
need not have been prescN cd 10
where the judgment ana SYM
iafa the founder Of Democracy
wore on this question; nor can IL
ho double. that Patrick Henry, me
matches. defender Of popular rights, APP
proved He judgment Of Washington
Madison Randolph Mason, ana Blelr'
Who cast the influence and vote OF Nlr-
taa against the election OF senators Dy
it. LEGISLATURES. aId over whose betieF
judgement that provision was incorporated
u fhe Federal Constitution. The senl-
urlt Of the great Nireinians OF that day
without regard 10 party approved the
election OF senators by the people, ana IL
may Doe affirmed without hesitation that |
confidence in and reliance upon the peo- |
lie 10 govern th mselyes is rherent IN |
the plan upon which God built Virginia |
manhood.
10 is not 10 Dc denied that the Senate |
Of the United States contains statesmen |
of nigh ability and character. but IL must |
Doe conceded that the average Intellectual |
and moral stature OF its members is crow |
lag less and less whilst the intellectual |
cultivation OF the masses Of the people
atains daily higher ana higher stages.
Who does not know that in many of ihe
States the influence OF great corporations
ID mOre potent in the election OF senators
Shan the sentiment Of The mass OF voters.
and how often have the lcgisl8tures
chosen those who were scarcely Known
20 The people and defeated those whose
election the people had decrced? The
fcnat0nal elections and contests Of he
last and passing year, ia Ohio, New
l0fk. rVnIs-..tuia, Delaware. " est Nir-
eola. Wisconsin. Nebraska, Utah, Nc-
Nada. California, Maryland. and Mon
fdua ffeespt elo4e eoffCs nf hiIqOfl= |