The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-16
BEFORE THE SENATE.
House Joint Resolution For Pop
ular Senatorial Elections.

Washington, April 16.-When the SEN
ate convened today the house joint res
olution in favor of a constitutional
amendment providing for the election
of United States senators by the people
was laid before the senate. 1t was
about to be referred to the committee
on privileges and elections. Mr.. Butler
On. CO asked that it be read and then
addressed the senate briefly. He de-
clared it was the function of a com
mittee of the senate to consider, not
to smother legislation. He thought
this question had been SO thoroughly
considered that it was not necessary
to send it to a committee. and he there
fore moved that it be placed on the
calendar.
Mr.. Chandler, chairman of the COM
mittee on privileges and elections, said
that as Mr.. Butler was disposed to
make imputations upon the committee,
he desired right now to inform him
that he was mistaken.
Il do not" he said with a snap, quite
like to have the senator attack the COM
mittee on privileges and elections in
advance of it's action on the measure
Mr.. Hoar called attention to the
gravity of the proposition submitted,
that the matter should not be consid-
cred by committee of the senate. He
did not approve of the proposed amend
ment, holding that it's adoption would
give the United States two legislative
bodies both chosen by the people in
popular elections, the only difference
being that the senators would have
larger constituency than the represen-
tatives.
Mr.. Pettus (Ala.) expressed his regret
| that reflections had been made upon the
committee on privileges and elections.
The motion to place the resolution on
| the calendar was withdrawn and it was
referred to the committee on privileges
| and elections.
Mr.. Hale presented an additional ur-
| gency deficiency bill, and it was passed
/ without debate.
A bill providing for the removal to a
| proper district for trial of persons in
dicted in United States courts was also
| passed.
Mr.. Davis (Minn) reported from the
committee on foreign relations the fol-
| lowing resolution and it was adopted:
| THAT the secretary Of state be di-
rected to send to the senate a copy
of the memorial of Edward Gottfried
a citizen of Wilkesbarre, Pa, and late
| a consular agent of the United States
| at Trujillo, Peru, sworn to March 81
| 1900, now on file in the state depart
! ment, together with all papers, letters
and exhibits attached to said memo
| rial and also copies of all correspond
ence of this government and that OF
Peru and of any opinion or decisions Of
the department of state in connection
with the action of a party of Peruvian
| revOlutiOniSts against the constitutional
government of Peru on and after Au-
gust IS. 1898, the memoriaHst at the
time being consular agent of the Unit.
ed States in Peru, the Wrong-doers
perpetrating, it is alleged, depredatioGs
on his property and injuries and indig-
mites upon his person, in violation OF
treaty rights"
The senate then resumed considera.
ton of the Alaskan civil code bill. thu
pending question being an amendment
offered by Mr.. Stewart as to the regu-
latiOns for mining of gold below low
watermark along the coast of Alaska.