Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-05
The Election Of Senators by the
People.

Franklin. Va, February 2. 1893.
To the Editor of the Richmond Dlspatch'
In YOUR most excellent editorial Of yes
terday with reference to the question OF
electing United States senators by the
people YOU use the following language:
"As great change as that proposed
with reference to the election OF sehaI
has taken place with respect 10 the ~.
ton of President and Nlce-f IeSlut ,l, \,
Iucxilv i'm that case the people were aDie
TO take the matter into their own hdI1s.
'sThe President Is no longer chosen 10y
the electoral college The actual eleT ii,l...
is by the people, and the electoral tol'J IT,
does nothing but act as the instructed IL
strument of the people. - 1r,,,.,
The necessary inference 70 be Drawn
from your language Is that the PeoP't III.
not able to take the matter lHlV - ~.
own hands with reference 10 the eiey'l IN
of senators why are they not! u,u
not intend TO have anything more 10 sIs,
NJ least AZ present. I'm your columns VI
this subject. but | feel mat me ciai'S 81
that has taken place WIN lel't 1l,.,i,,I
the eIectiou Of President Is SO ldehlI, al
With that which | have advocated VIII
reference to the election OF sehatoto' tli',.
il ,nlght To be- brought out clearly i" o"'
var truly saw that in effect the Presi-
IN - nov elected by the people Vouhs
w., S,otes and not en- masse). NlthO"1
b,vine had resort 10 constituents
amendment How was lnat a,Doi' 49, 80,
Go Whv. simply by making party nom,
80 r president The Electoral
Coiiege stiu elects him but that Eleclo." ,
college f. composed OF men hoi',i91
a., their respective states, WIZ IL, -.
Ia vote for the man Tor iftslg' ~, ~,
their party has nomlnol-u. 4 i,'', .fny any
eror dreams of an elcctOr VolihB toi "ul
ONO els- though they would sun hdNe
the constitutional right 70 40 81 ii,n1t
,,hue We commonly lOph on tliV a.
don't rs being voted Tor by tuc PrOP -"
rcali,v that IS done solely through M
te'.r,i,,.rfalitv Of party conventions. anu
,hot is Nh. system OF getting az II lhat /
80. ~ see adopted with reference 10
r,,otors am heartily IN taFor OF an
/ o.,,tn dr,ant 10 the United states 'uIlS,l-
90 ,t ,..,,iring them 10 be elected by
| ~ rontlr but why wait ior that SLOW
, rrocsss5 WHY not let each party. II lt
| So desires. nominate MS candluale lVI
/ senate iu each state ana nominate ll9
/ candidate for the Legislature pleusru
| to vote for that nominee, Just as lH,y
! now nominate President. ana then noihi-
| nate electors pledged To vote lot thdl
! ror,ineo2 I'm the one case the party elect
! ing ID majority Of the Elecloral 'olss
| SECURES the election of its nominee loi
/ President. I'm the other case the party
! alsctiue, "A majority OF the Legislature
/ would secure the election OF It's nominee
for senator Wherein lies the difference
In what respect are the people less abe
10 AXE the matter OF senator's i'm then
own hands without waiting for a consu
| tutional amendment than they were 1,
! do il with reference 10 President ah'
| Vice President? by pursuing thal course
Won would soon get into the United State
! senate a class of men who would vote
| Tor such an amendment 10 the Constltu
! ton AS YOU desire You will not get then
j. G. PARKER.
p S.--The price of vote for United
states senator in some legislatures hl
reached as high as $500. query: II tn
old method was used in electing Presl
dent. how much would vote In tn
Electoral College for President bring h
these times. with Mark Hanna as bid
der2 j. I. l.