The evening times., 1900-04-14
Senators by Popular Election.

and forty-twO to fifteen. the House Of Rep
resentatives yesterday adopted a joint
resolution proposing submission to the
State Legislatures of a constitutional
amendment providing for the election Of
United States Senators by direct vote of
the people The revolutionary character
of this action is illustrated in the fact that
the resolution as adopted was one reported
by a minority of the committee, as a sub
stitute for a resolution recommended by
the majority. which proposed to make it
optional with individual States whether
they should elect their Senators by popu-
lar or legislative means.
This is the third time the House has
passed a resolution of the kind. Twice the
Senate he's failed to act, and SO defeated
the purpose for the time being. Perhaps
it is less likely than formerly to repeat
the performance. All national legislators
and public men generally know that there
is an almost universal and determined de-
mand on the part of the American masses
that the evils and abuses Of Senatorial
elections by Legislatures shall be PEE
vented in future, by popularizing the
choice of Senators. That sentiment has
been steadily growing for years.
Advocates OF the old system assert that
10 confer the privilege of naming Senators
upon the whole constituency they are to
represent. viii not cure the vice OF the
existing method. They say that it would
make the tCga d prize TO be fought FOR in
conventions and bring honorable aspi-
rants under the thumb of the party boss
and his machine. in advance. 1t is even
held that it might be found easier and
cheaper TO buy delegates to a nominating
convention than TO purchase a Legislature.
II we were to admit these contentious. We
should still say that the change ought 10
be tried In practice, the present system
has been found so utterly and hoDelessly
rotten that nothing in the nature Of a sub
stitute could possibly be worse, and a
great majority of the people are quite vii
ling TO take the chances OF an improve
msut
As matters stand there is anything rath-
er than a free and unbiased choice OF
Senators in most Of our States. Where
Alt COunli lOiS No AOl AdANl INT N4ltNL
method of purchase and sale of votes. it
comes to much the same thing as far as
the public interest is concerned. The rail-
way and industrial monopolies with their
organized financial allies. are usually able
to pack the Legislature with their crea-
lures. to a sufficient extent 10 dominate
Senatorial elections with the aid Of the
party machine. The consequence IS that
there are altogether too many men in
the National Senate who, owing their
seats to trusts and monopOles. and Gepen-
dent upon them for future hcnors and ia
vors. are bound 10 do their bidding in all
matters of legislation, and nOtoriously do
il. There have been but few Senators open
10 the suspicion Of having bought their
elections by means of criminal bribery.
II the people Of the States are allowed to
choose their Senators. the power to Tegu-
late details and to provide against corrup-
tion and fraud in the operation viii be in
their hands. and may be applied, which is
not now the case. The Senate would be
assuming a dangerous responsibility in
agai, dafoafiu~ tho rorfIlar will