Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-14
THE Trup,E REPORT.

In the Fffty-third Congress the House
Of Representatives passed resolution
proposing an amendment to the Consu-
tuition Of the United States, providing
that senators should be elected by the
people OF each State. This resolution
went to the Senate, and was there refer
red TO its Committee on Privileges and
Elections. That committee made an adj
verse report; but a minority thereof
Messrs. Turpie. Mitchell, and Palmer
submitted their views in n paper which
is understood 10 have been prepared by
Mr.. Turpie, one Of uhe most scholarly
men who have served in tie United
States Senate since the close Of the civil
war Our people will be interested in
what he says was the position of Nir-
cinia in the convention which framed the
United States Constitution, and in the
quotation he makes as to Mr.. Madison's
views. the application of which latter TO
the question of popular election OF SEN
ators is just now a matter of consider
able controversy.
At the time when Mr.. Turpie framed
his minority report eight States, through
their legislatures. had instructed i'm favor
Of such an amendment. Now, as We UNI
derstand, twenty-five states, i'm one way
or another. have given expressions favor
able 10 the change!
Moreover, the growing aggressivcncss
of the interests of which Hanna, Quay,
and Plat are the conspicuous leaders
and types makes it absolutely necessary
that the people should assert their sover-
eign power and make sure, If possible,
that each State shall be represented by
senators who aie in thorough accord
with the masses. The movement in Viz
ginia, which is attracting much attention,
we therefore hope will expand TO national
proportions.
Ii the May conference should succeed
IA formulating a good plan OF operations,
and our party in this state should adopt
IL, we may expect it 10 spread TO many
other States, and with the result that IL
VIII begin at once 10 circumscrbe and
check the power of the Hanna, Quay. and
Plat interest, and bring the United
States Senate in touch with the people
And so we would not have Nirginians
look upon the May movement as local
affair. as a thing involving merely the
political fortunes of this or that man. but
as an effort TO set on foot a great ma
tional movement But on that point
more anon. Here is Mr.. Turpies report:
1.-THE undersigned members OF your
committee have had the said Joint reso-
luton under consideration, and propose
the following amendment thereto:
Strike out the preamble down TO line
a. Strike out lines p, -. %. Insert the
following in lieu OF the other sections i'm
said joint resolution:
Resolved, by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States i'm
Congress assembled twO-thirds of each
House concurring therein, That the fol-
lowing be proposed to the legislatures of
the several States, as an amendment TO
the Constitution of the United states
which shall be valid TO all intcnts and
purposes. as a part OF said Constitution
when ratified by the legislatures OF three
1ourths OF the states.
amendment 10 the Constitution No
l6.-The Senate OF the United States shall
be composed OF two senators from each
State. TO be chosen by the people thereof
at large for six years by plurality vote
and each senator shall have one vote.
lut cAttNOfS OF SttU state SIdl nave the
qualifications requisite for electors for
the most numerous branch OF the State
Legislature.
when vacancies happen in the repre-
sentation Of any State in the Senate the
executive authority of such state may
fll the same by appointment until the
time OF the next general election, at
which a senator may be chosen by the
people 10 an such vacancy.
This amendment may not be so con-
strued as 10 AFFECT the election or term OF
any senator who may be chosen before it
becomes valid as a part OF the Constitu-
ton.
THE object Of this resolution with the
amendment therein offered Is 10 place
one department of the government wholly
within the control OF the people. The
legislative or law-maklng department Of
the government ought. in our opinion. 10
be so placed.
'The proposition is not "A new one.
either I'm constitutional or legislative his
tory. The question whether the senators
OF the United States should be elected by
the people OF the several States was a
Iubject OF, discussion in the convention
which framed the Constitution. and on
June p. 1881 when the final vote was put
the two great states OF Virginia and
Pennsylvania voted against the election
of the United States senators by the