Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1901-04-03
ELECTION OF SENATOR'S
BY THE PEOPLE.

Col. ". j. Bryan in speaking of The
election Of United States Senator'S by
the direct vote of the people, in his
paper, the Commoner, says:
Whatever causes may have led to The
adoption of the existing method Of
electing Seniors, experience has not
only shown that the people can be
rusted with the direct choice Of their
public servants, but it has also demon
strated that the nearer the government
is brought to the voters the better it is
forboth the 6 .vernment and the people.
There is more virtue in tie masses
han ever finds expression through
their represen .atives, because repre-
sentatives are.inhuenced, 10 a greater
n less extent, by their personal inter-
ests.
1T is true that even with popular
lec'ions the nominations would be
made by conventions, but the fact that
he voters would afterwards sit in judg-
ment upon the work Of the delegates
would be constant restraint.
The last few years have furnished so
many instances OF corporate influence
or corruption operating in the election
Of Senators that no elaboration Of the
second argument is necessary. 1t has
become apparent to the most casual
OBSERVER that candidates backed by
railroads and other large corporations
rave an enormous advantage over men
who must rely upon their personal
popularity or worth.
While in some instances money has
been used to purchase votes outright,
the method moro frequently employed
is to place the Legislators under obliga.
to a particular candidate by pecania ~
aid furnished during the campaign.
Organized capital is also able to bring
pressure to bear upon legislators b.
the bestowal of fayors.
But aside from the arguments which
affect the character Of the men selected,
the best interests Of the State require
that the Legislature shall be relieved OF
the duty Of electing Senators, because
legislative candidates cannot now be
voted for according to their fitness for
legislative work. As one-third Of the
United States Senator's are elected
every two years, two legislative scs-
sons where they are biennial) out OF
every three are called upon to settle o
Senatorial controversy and this contro-
yersy, as a rule, overshadows all other
matters.
When TIE contest is prolonged the
regular business is interrupted by daily
balloting and attention is diverted from
State affairs.
Two years ago there were deadlocks
in four States, and this year two Legis- |
'atures are having obstinate struggles. |
Some object to the proposed change |
on the ground that the Constitution
should not be disturbed, but this is |
always the argument Of those who are
with things as they are. The
best frien,s of the Constitution are
those who desire to strengthen it in
the affections Of the people by making
it conform to the wishes OF the people
There is no force in the objection
urged by me that Senator should
be selected by q Legislature because
be represents the State. This draws a
distinction between the State ana the
people of the State. Surely the choice
Of a maj 5rity of the people would be
more truly T. representative Of the
State Il IN the choice OF minority.
Ii Will be a great victory for popular
government when the selection OF
United States Senators is iaken away
rom the Legislatures and given INTO
he custody of the voters where it
belongs.