The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-23
FLECTING SENATOR'S BY A DIRECT
VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

While the south is being already "suf-
fciently aroused" at the experiments in
primaries, it is not wise to forget that
back of the senatorial primaries lies a
question of vast Importance, and in
which good citizens are really interest
ed. While it is to De very sincerely
hoped that never again in North Caro-
lima shall there be held or ever heard
of such a misfortune and miscarriage
as a senatorial primary. 1t is the part
of wisdom to bear in mind that the
grievances continue for which it is
hoped a change of the manner of elect
ing senators will remedy. Let the
constitution OF the United States be
changed SO as to give the people the di-
rect vote for United States senators
not by an insecure ~primary-but by
the peoples voice at the polls by the
use OF the ballot. The people have for
many years seen how very corrupt leg
islatures in the north had become-how
purchasable. They saw how men with
money had controlled legislatures and
legislation. The cry went up from doz-
ems of states, let there be a change.
A study of the foundation of our gov
eminent, and how vigorous the effort
to make it from h start a centralized
power, with the people distrusted, will
e%nlighten those who will undertake it.
The constitution as first framed was
clearly drawn in fear of the people.
The twelve MISUNDERSTANDING the re-
suit of Mr.. Jefferson's infiuence-were
drawn in behalf of the people and in
diStrust OF the strong young govern
ment set up. The Philadelphia Times
favors these constitutional changes. 1t
favors just what he southern confed-
eracy ~adopted-a great improvement
upon the federal observation-disclosures
ing the presidential term for six years
and making the president ineligible to
succeed himself. He should be forever
debarred reelection. The Times aSyS
of eleeting senators by the people:
THE election of United States sena-
tors by tn legislatures of the different
states is N the lingering relics of
old federalism that distrusted the peo-
pie, and ought to remove the power
from them as far as possible in the or
g~aniZation of a republican government.
Senators were made elective by the leg
islature to remove them from a direct
vote of the people, and to give addi-
tional recognition to the sovereignty of
the states by making the senators rep
resent the state rather than the people.
As We have already shown the same
principle was incorporated in the con
situations of the original states, as the
governors We're given the appointment
of all general and local offices. The
states a nearly or quite all aban-
doned the restraints put upon the pop
ular power by making general and To-
cal offices elective: and they would
have made United States senators cleo
tive by popular vote but for the fact
that the national constitution inter-
poses a supreme objection.
al parties have pTofesSed their APP
proval of the policy of changing our ma
tional constitution to make United
States senators elective by the people,;
but professions made in political cam
paigns are often d~isregarded when the
period comes for their fulfillment-"
The primary election was devised to
give the people control until the on
stitution can be altered. But it is after
all an election by the legislature, with
the popular will expressed at h polls.
But there is too many sad lessons al
ready learned from our short cam
paign to make most thoughtful voters
anxious or willing to ave this new
tangled" system continued. Most
people Will prefer to continue TO take
chances with North Carolina legisla-
lures.