The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-17
ELECTION OF SENATOR'S.
The Resolution Passed by the House
Discussed In the senate.

discussed In the ~rnHtf
The joint resolution which recently
passed the House regarding a constitu-
tional amendment providing for the cleo
ton Of United States Senators by direct
vote Of the people was laid before the
Senate yesterday and was about to be
referred to the Committee on Privileges
and Election, when Mr. Butler suggested
that as the subject had already been be
fore that committeee several times there
was no necessity for its being again re-
ferred He said that for several sessions
past measures relating to the election OF
Senators by popular vote had been Ie-
ferred 10 the committee but no report upon
them had ever been made.
Mr. Butler considered IL the duty Of
committee to consider legislation. not to
smother 1t. and said that even il this ac-
tion should at any time be permissible IL
certainly was not in the case Of legisia-
tion which thirty-four Of the States had
requested should be considered. Mr. But
Ter then moved that the joint resolution
be placed on the calendar.
Mr. Chandler. Chairman OF the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections SAID that
II the Senator from North Carolina in
tended to imply that there was a purpose
or desire on the part Of the committee to
smother the resolution he desired to IN
form him that he had made mistake
Mr.. Butler disclaimed having any such IN
tention. and said that he was merely stat
ing the fact regarding what had hereto
fore been done
Il do not quite like" said Mr.. Chandler.
TO have the Senator attack the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections IN adj
vance OF its action upon the measure
MIR. HOar called attention to the great
Importance Of the proposed change and
said that the subject was entitled 10 de-
Z liberation. reflection. the study Of history.
/ and a comparison Of the advantages OF
the new scheme and OF the old. He did
not approve of the proposed amendment,
holding that its adoption would give the
United States two legislative bodies. both
chosen by the people in popular elections,
the only difference being that the Sena-
tors would have a larger constituency
than the Representatives.
Mr. HOar was astOni6hed that such
proposition should be pressed seriously BY
the Senator from North Carolina, as it
was manifest that the great states OF the
East and West would not give such a
proposition the stamp OF their approval.
He therefore hoped that the present resO-
! luton would go to the committee and re-
ceive full consideration at a time when
there were no other great subjects pend
[ ing.
Mr.. Butler with whom Mr.. Chandler
I had had a WHISPERED conversation then
expressed his willingness to have the mat
ter referred 10 the Committee on Privileges
and Elections. as he was assured that there
was a majority Of the committee in favor
Of action upon it.
Mr.. Pettus expressed his regret that re-
fections had been cast upon the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections. and said:-
NO committee ought to be driven by any
hard words that may be uttered against
it BY anybody from considering any sub
ject carefully. especially when the propO-
sition involves the pulling down Of one Of
| the eornerstones Of the Republic. This
ought not to be done in haste
The motion to place the resolution on
the calender was Withdrawn and IL was
referred to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections.
An additional Urgent Deficiency bill
was called up by Mr.. Hale and was passed
[ without debate a bill providing for the
removal to a proper district for trial OF
| persons indicted in United States courts
[ was also passed
/ Mr.. Davis reported the following reso-
/ luton from the Committee on Foreign Re-
| lations and it was adopted:
I Resolved. That the Secretary Of state be di-
I recrfd 90 -eud 90 the Senate copy Of the me
| mortal of Edward G0tti-ied. citizen Of Wilkes
barre Pa. and late a consular agent OF the United
states 81 Truiili0. Peru. sworn 90 March q, 1000,
/ now on hie iu the STATE Department, toSether
with al papers, letters. and exhibits 1ttached .
Z said memorial and also copies Of lli c1rrespon-
douee OF this Government and that 0t Peru and
f Of arv opinions decisions of the Department u
/ state in connection with the action Of a party
/ Of Peruvian reyulutiout-ts against The constilu-
. rioual Government Of Peru and after August
., 1855. the memoriaiist al the time beng con-
/ suIsr agent OF the United states IN Peru. the
. yrrougd0-ss Pcrpctrating. It IS alleged depfeda-
tons on his property and injuries and inqignlteS
upon-his person in violation OF treaty rights.
\ bill was passed authorizing the Ohio
| Valley Electric Railway Company to con-
struct a bridge over the Big Sandy River
/ from Keneya. ". Va. to Catlettsburg. Ny.
The Senate then resumed consideration
Of the Alaskan civil code bill the pending
I question being an amendment offered by
Mr. Stewart declaring all lands outside
low water mark on Behring Sea subject TO
exploration for gold by citizen Of the
United States or persons who have legally
declared their intention to become So I'M
der such rules and regulations as may be
made by the miners. After long discus
r.
drawn. and the provision in relation TO
Z mining at Cape Nome was modified so as
/ TO read,
Provided further. That the rules and rcgula-
tions established by the miners shall be subject
to such general rules as the secretary OF the IN
/ terror NAV prescribe for mining below high tide
arr all not be in conflict with the mining laws
OF the United States
A tedious and uninteresting discussion
then took place on an amendment offered
| nv Mr.. Berry providing that locations or
| claims shall be originated only after the
| passage Of the act-the purpose being 70
/ evclude certain locations which Mr.. Berry
! claimed TO have been made by capitalists
to the injury Of the common miners. The
amendment was rejected b. a vote Of
. yeas Il. nays p.
On motion Of Mr.. pettus the clause pro-
viding that locations shall be subject %
/ general rules to be prescribed by the Sec
I rotary Of the Interior was stricken out
Mr.. Warren offered an amendment Whia n
was agreed to striking from the bill che
provision that no person over the age OF
so shall be eligible to appointment AS dis
trict judge.
Mr. Warren also offered an amendment
which was agreed to. providing that in the
case of the death. sickness or absence OF
the Governor the duties Of the office shall
b, performed by the Surveyor General as
o.. oefcio Secreta OF the district
The bill was laid aside. and at Z; 40
o'clock the Senate went into executive
session and Immediately afterward ad-
iourued until today.
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
Reported TO the senate From the