Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-28


ginian- Pilots issue of Sunday gave an
account of a conference Of Democrats
held In Richmond TO take action look
ing 20 O change in the method OF elect
Ing United States Senator'S. The con-
ference issued an address which is be-
1ieved to have been practically agreed
upon at the time OF Congressman Jones'
visit to Richmond some two weeks ago.
when number OF gentlemen prominent
IN political affairs met him and talked
this matter over freely.
THE ADDRESS.
Following is the address:
To the Democratic Voters of Virginia:
The demand for Il change in the me-
thod of clcctng United States Senators
IS so widespread and so Imperative that
the issue thereby raised cannot longer
be wisely or safely avoided by the
Democrats OF Virginia. The sentiment
in favor OF the election OF Senators by
direct vote of the people is not OF recent
origin; but it's growth in the present
decade is unequalled in our entire his
tory. That it has been quickened i'm
mensely by the shocking disclosures of
the Legislative scandals which have dis
Sraced mamy of the States of the
Union Is painfully apparent and their
effect upon the public conscience CInTTUt
have escaped the most Indifferent OBJ
server OF passing events. Indeed the
situation has become wcll-nigh intol-
cradle In many Of the States. The peo-
pie or Virginia cannot remain insensi-
Bile to conditions so fraught with peril
to cur institutions.
REPRESENT SPECIAL INTERESTS
Too often Senator's of the United
States do not represent the body OF the
people Of the several States, but very
frequently represent special corporate
interests or special classes. Mortifying
RS this fact must be to every lover of
te, Il.
covery, although the evil consequences
and bitter degradation involved in it
have of late been presented with fire.
Qucnt and impressive emphasis. The
vice In the existing method of elect
Ing Senators was detected by many of
the wiscst of the founders OF the re-
public at the very beginning of their
great task. among them the Virginia
patriots. whose opinions at this date
are accepted rs the mos: valuable po-
ltical lcsacies that have come down to
US from all the past. These men had
an inherited and instructive love OF
liberty and adherence Of tyranny in
any form. which armed them with the
power OF genius TO carry out their high
resolve to have for themselves and to
bequcath to their descendants an on
during free government. resting upon
the free will or A free people. The ar
gumcnt for the present system was
made in that day frankly and without
disguise. One OF the most prominent
advocates OF the Legislative ncthOd of
electins Senator's. Mr.. Gerry, of Mas
sachusetts. "inGisted that the CONNER
clal and moneyed interests would be
more secure in the hands OF the state
Legislatures than Of the people at
large"
MADISON AND JEFFERSON
James Madison, on the other hand,
declared that the great fabric to be
raised would be more stable and en-
during II 1t should res; upon the solid
foundation of the people themselves
than IL 1t should stand merely upon
the pillars OF the Legislatures them
selves"
The declara ton Of Thomas jefferson.
Il am not among those who fear the
people" need not have been preserved
to assure us where the Judgment and
sympathles of the founder Of Democra-
cy were placed on this question: nor
can 1t be doubted that Patrick Henry,
the metchiess defender of popular
rights approved the judgment of
Washington. Madison. Randolph Ma
son, and blair, who cast the influence
and vote OF Virginia against the cleo
tion of Senators by the Legislatures.
and over whose better judgment that
provision WAS incorporated in the
Federal Constitution. The sentiment of
the great Vireinians OF that day, with
OUT regard TO party, approved the cleo
ton of Senators by the peOple. and il
may be affirmed without hesitation
that confidence in and reliance upon
the people to govern themselves is in
herent In the plan upon which God
built Virginia manhood.
1t is not to be denied that the Senate
OF the United States contains states
men OF high ability and character. but
1t must be conceded that the average
intellectual and moral stature of its
members Is growing less and less.
whilst the intellectual oultivnt ton Of
the masses Of the people attains daily
higher and higher stages. Who does
not know that in many of the States
the influence OF great corporations is
more potent in the election Of Senators
than the sentiment OF the mass of
voters: and how often have the legis-
1atures chosen those who We're scarcely
known to the people and defeated those
whose election tho people had decreed?
The Senatorial elections and contests of
the past and passing year. In Ohio, New
york, Pennsylvania. Delaware, West
y Virginia. Wisconsin. Nebraska, Utah.
nevada. California. Maryland and Mon
1ana, present q close series of the hid
$ous scandals. such as shock the moral
siense of the country, whilst at the
same time furnishing new and indis-
"utaole testimony against the wisdom
81 plan capable OF such desecration
and abuse
The SENATE'S DEFIANT SILENCE.
But thls question has now passed be-
yond the argumentatve stage. Upon il
the mlnds or the people are firmly made
up. The House OF Representatives of
the United States has repeatedly. and
py an almost unanimous vote, passed
resolutions to amend the Constitution