Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-17
TWELVE PAGES
WEDNESDAY. MAY II, 1859.
We CAN CHOOSE ALL TIE SAME

An able contemporary. considering
the general impracticability of amend
Ing the Federal Constitution. says:
"Innumerable amendments have been
talked of, but not one has been adopt
ed since 1904 except the three that re-
suited from our great war. ] / is Il safe
prediction that no material change III
our fundamental law will be made in
the near future"
At best, and under the most urgent
circumstances, large bodies move
slowly. If at all. Their inertia IS diff
cult to overcome, and to secure unity
of action IS almost impossible 1t has
been so in the past, even where really,
there was no active opposition to the
reforms. or changes, desired; and it will
always be so.
Senatorial reform is not exempt from
the difficulties that have beset any
proposed amendment OF the u. S. Con-
sttution, no matter how desirable, ana
MI OF us who desire this reform should
remember these difficulties. THE VIR-
GINIAN-PLLOT, always favorable to
the reform and to everything that is
necessary TO assure and complete 1t.
has nevertheless, from the very first,
directed attention TO these difficulties
of constitutional amendment. ana to
the fact that. jf they are not insupera-
ble they are sure to delay long the
proposed change in the election OF u.
S. Senators, and. therefore, the more
Importance OF any scheme to restore
the practical choice OF Senator'S to the
people while the amendment is In
allegiance.
1t is to this so-caled temporary plan
I; for the popular choice or nomination,
Y of u. S. Senators. that we can alone
I. look for any immediate relief; and here
i we shall be left indefinitely, If not for
r ever. But is there any real hardship
s IN this7 Why is II not just and proper.
!, even If the constitution be amended as
Desired that the people should really
chose and nominate the Senator to be
elected. whether by popular vote, or by
: legislative ballot? Nobody has vet OBJ
5ected to the right OF the people. in
their primary action, to instruct their
nominees for the General Assembly
that their choice for Senator is Mr..
Blank. or Mr., Dash. or MIR. Goodman;
nor can this popular ana fundamental
right 10 instruct representative be
questioned seriously anywhere on any
ground. If Legislators do refuse to obey
such Instructions (Which is Improbable.
&c given rs auggested). the remedy is
swift and prompt and the .gnoniny of
such treachery TO the people. If done to
elect a bad man. or an enemy OF The
people. or n friend Of special privilege.
Will ruin the culprit forever. not
merely politically. but in every rela-
tion OF life.
For these reasons. as well as others
heretofoe expressed TIE VIRGIN
+ 1ANPILOT has advised Il close adher-
ence to the people from the very in
tial steps of this reform. 1t must 30
10 the people and remain there. and
the people must maintain ii. or It win
be n mournful ana signal failure. 4
reform which demands Il return to the
direct Will, power an0 trust of tho peo-
pie In any matter, blundcrs ogrcgionsly
ST at Say essential point in such return
1t stops. Or diverges and betaies itself
TO the representative or delegated
policy already tried and found wanting.
NO change OF name. or method. VIII
help the error; and II representative,
delegates. or proxies are still to choose
the u. S. Senators. or nominate them,
we might rs wen make no change ex-
cept In our nomination OF legislators
------ ----------
Il now begins to appear why the
truth in the Dreyfus case ut Paris has
been so hnzy ali along. Iceterhazy. not
v,x.,,f,, 10 tf,a f.utlty Derson