The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-02
METHOD OF CHOOSING SENATOR'S.

METHOD OF CHOOSING SENATOR'S.
The sentiment in favor of changing the
method Of electing United States senators
that IS Of their election by the people
instead of the legislatures-is growing
stronger, and the reason is that there
are so many scandals connected with SEN
atorlal elections. There was a great scan
dal connected with the election of Sena-
tor Hanna OF Ohio. Senator Quay of
Pennsylvania is trying to get into the Sen
ate. although the Legislature of his state
refused to elect him, but he is so much Of
"a political boss that no other man could
be elected He blocked the election, ana
then had himself appointed by the Cover
nor, on the ground that vacancy existed
But it was a vacancy of his own making,
practically, for if he had stood aside there
would have been no difficulty In filling
the place Senate Clark of Montana is
trying to retain his seat in the Senate,
and in his effort to do so details of an eX-
traordinary corrupt condition of affairs in
the Legislature of his state are being
brought out.
Cases like these are strengthening the
sentiment in favor of electins senators by
DoDuIar vote The people notice that the
number of ambitious men who, having
made great fortunes in trade speculation
or in some other way, are anxious to round
out their careers by a term or two in the
Senate, is increasing. Many Of the men
of this class are willing to spend large
sum of money to attain their desire. The
interests of the people and the welfare of
the country are not matters of the first
consideration with them. They can always
be counted on % vote with accumulated
wealth when there is an issue between
money and the people
A senator is to be elected in this state
next fall by the Legislature 10 be chosen
at the next State election. The question
as TO whether the people should be given
chance to make a choice at a primary is
already being agitated. An Atlanta paper,
the Journal, has asked many of the
chairmen Of the Democratic Executive
Committees of the various counties the
following question: DO you favor sub
mission to the people of your county Of
the question as to who should be elected
to the Senate by the next Legslature?'
That paper says that in most Instances
the answer has been in the affirmative.
Hon. Walter G, Charlton, of this county,
is one of the chairmen who answered the
question in the negative. He does not
rush into print hastily, especially upon so
important question as this. His views,
therefore, are worth careful consideration.
He says: Il do not favor the proposition.
AS the senator is to be elected by the leg
slators, and as the matter is confided to
their Judgment and their responsibility
under their oath, 1 do not think they
should be hampered in their choice by the
result of a primary. Conditions might
Wen change between the time when the
primary is held and the time when the
senator is elected. If the legislator is to
be bound by popular expression given
months before he is called upon to dis
charge his duty it might well happen that
he will be in the anomalous position of
voting for man who neither his con-
science approves nor interest of the state
would tolerate. If there be any need of a
change in the recognized method it seems
to me this can be met by sending to the
| Legislature members in whom the people
| of the state have entire confidence
There is much truth in what Mr.. CharI-
ton says Sun. the probability of such a
change of conditions between the time of
holding a primary and the election of a
Senator as would make the people repent
of their choice Is very remote. The meet
ing of the Legislature would occur very
soon after the prlmary-two or three
| months, at most senator is elected for
six years, and the difference of a few
months in the time of choosing him can
| not make a great deal of difference. There
is not much danger, of course. here in
| Georgia, of money influencing the choice
| of a senator by the Legislature, million
aires are to scarce, but the choice IS
likely to involve a good deal of trading in
politics.
|