Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-29
NOT A NEW IDEA,

The EdinDUrg (ShendnuOdh county, SeH-
tinel, in calling attention to the fact that
the idea of electing United States sena-
tors by the popular vote IS no new thing
with that paper, reproduces from its
columns an editorial on the subject 1t
printed in January, 1897.
In that article the Sentinel noted that
the Legislature that elected a senator
expired by limitation long before the eX-
piration of the senatorial term. and after
asking how then could the senator be
held responsible for his actions or votes,
added: cit is true, his moral response
bility exists, but the power to hold him
responsible thus is long since dead, ad-
journed and gone home Then our con-
temporary went on to say that "the
nearer you come in contact with the
people, the great masses, learning their
needs in fact, seeing them. the safer it
is for republican Institutions
These points were well taken, and in
the contention that election Of senator's
by the popular vote would be safer for
republican institutions the Sentinel struck
o.
years it has been manifest that the SEN
ate was not doing its part towards the
conservation of republican institutions.
The manner of electing senators has re-
suited in conditions that are out of har-
mony with our system. it threatens to
become destructive of the ends for which
the government was Termed. The move
ment to change the method of electing
senators. which has taken practical shape
in the call for the May conference. is
simply movement TO bring back into
adjustment with the other features of our
governmental machinery one feature that
year by year has been showing an in
creased tendency to work independently
of the rest. thus endangerng the whole
and threatening 10 shake it from its
foundation as laid by the fathers of the
republic. That foundation is the will of
the people.
And the purpose for which the May con-
ference will assemble is not only not a
new idea with our Valley contemporary,
but IT Is not a new idea with thousands
of the masses. For long time there has
been shaping in The public mind a con-
Niction that the Senate was not perform
ing the functions for which 1t was insti-
tuted. and that II must be brought into
closer contact with the people and be
made more amenable TO their wishes. The
movement. in its present proportions is
but the concentration Of forces Of revul-
sion against the existing method that
have long been operating through various
channels This concentration has been
stimulated by the scandals in connection
with the recent senatorial elections in
some of the States. but the demand for A
change was not born Of these scandals.
II was born years back of the LOYALTY of
the people to republican institutions. and
has been gradually nurtured to its pres
ent maturity by public patriotic jealousy
Of the power the trainers of the Constitu-
lion vested in the masses, but upon which
the Senate has been steadily trenching
in numerous ways. And this being so. IL
follows that just TO the degree that the
May conference advances the cause of
the election Of senators b. the popular
vote Virginia will so % the front as a
leader in the great and patriotic work OF
safeguarding republican institutions.