The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-24
PENR0SE In BEHALF
OF MR.. QUAY


mat this purpose TO keep the senate full must
nave been strong in the minds OF the trainers
OF the constitution is evident when we consider
the Importance which they attached TO the con.
stitution OF the senate. Many conflicting theor.
les prevailed as to the manner in which this
branch OF the national legislature should be
constituted. Many suggestions were made and
considered. The senate was to be chosen by
the trst branch Of the Legislature; IL was to
DE chosen by the state Legislature; II was 10 be
chosen by the people, il was to be appointed
by the president; it was TO be chosen from dis.
uicts throughout the union or 20 oc appor.
TONED by the representatives after a census the
power OF nomination vas TO be given to The
state legislatures the states were to be repre-
sented according to their importance or in pro-
portion to their property; or basis of equal
representation Of the states in the body. II was
originally supposed that the senate would be OF
aristocratic character; that It would be a re-
straint on the exccsses of democracy, and con.
sist OF persons of wealth and influence, with
power and ability TO resist the cncruachments Of
the executive. It was supposed that its dura-
tion would be for life; that there should be
property qualification; and that many executive
functions should be given it, such as the APP
pointment OF ambassadors and judges.
when the work had been completed IL was
nuhd that there were certain purposes in the
constitution of the senate, which have been set
The Federalist." They we're to conciliate the
spirit of independence in the several states by
giving each, however small, equal representation
with every other, however large in one branch
OF the national government; to create u council
qualified by its moderate size and the expert.
eice OF its members to advise and check the
PRESIDENT IN the exercise of his power of ap.
pointing to Office and concluding treaties TO
furnish restraint and check upon the tyranny
in MI Of,
represented more closely in the house OF repre-
sntatives; TO provide body OF men less sub
Ject to frequent changes In membership and com
paratively free from popular clamor, so that they
might constitute element of stability in tie
government of the nation, enabling it to main.
tam its character in the eyes of foreign states
and to preserve continuity of policy at home
and abroad; and, finally to establish a court
proper for the trial OF impeachment, a remedy
necessary t" prevent tho abuse of power by the
executive. senator is the representative Of the
sovereignty OF the state; he represents the state
in its political capacity. Its members in earlier
times regarded themselves as a sort OF congress
ot ambassadors from their respective states, ard
they were accustomed to refer for advice and
instructions each to his state legislature.
As compromise between the advocates Of
states rights and states sovereignty, the plan
was finally determined Of giving each senator
one vote and each state an cInal representa-
tion. So strong was the final determination that
the senate should consist of an equal representa-
tion of the states that it was provided in Arti.
Gle V that
NO state, without its consent, shall he de.
prived of its equal suffrage in the scnate.'
Is it not clear, when we consider, therefore,
the history of the evolution of the senate from
out OF the many diverse and contcnding theories
INTO the form in which it was finally created,
that the trainers of the Constitution intended
to create what is the most important branch Of
the whole system OF our governments ncr.
manent body existing as an intermediate link
between the executive and the house of repre-
sentatives and preeminently an assurance Of
the continuance and stability Of our institu.