The Tucson citizen., 1902-04-16
THE ELECTION OF SENATOR'S.

The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections yesterday disposed OF
the proposition to elect United States
Senator'S by direct vote Of the people,
by loading down the Joint resolution
passed by the House some time ago
with a proviso that we feel safe In say
ing not half dozen States in the
Union will accept. On motion of Sena-
tor Depew. of New York. the commit
tee bv one majority added this pro-
viso to the joint resolution proposing
to amend the Constitution:
"The qualifications of citizens en-
titled to vote for United States Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress
shall be uniform in all the States and
Congress shall have the power to en-
force this article by appropriate iegls-
Iation and provide for the registration
of citizens entitled TO vote, conduct
such elections and the certification OF
the result.
This amendment embodies all the
provisions of the Lodge force bill OF
twelve years ago. If made a part OF the
Constitution of the United States 1t
would destroy the autonomy or the
States and effectively place the control
of both branches of Congress In the
hands of drastic federal machine.
We have never been able TO see the
wisdom or necessity OF changing the
present mode of electing Senators. ~
ia true we of the Territories in our
disfranchised condition would not be
apt to scrutini2e too closely any means
that might be accorded to us OF choos-
ing Senator'S Our first desire is to lave
Senators. and later on when we be-
gan to feel at nome in the Union Oh
States We would think it time enough
TO consider proposals for the amend
mont of the Constitution But the or
ganic law belongs to us all, and this
is not a bad time to consider some of
the phases of the proposal to elect
Senator's by the direct vote of the peo-
pie.
In creating the legislative branch OF
our government the trainers OF the
Constitution made 1t to rest upon the
principle OF perfect equality. Appor-
tioning Representatives in proportion
to the population and giving one he
preventative to such States as fell be-
low the apportionment not only
guaranteed the presence OF every
State but established perfect equality
between the citizens. The number OF
people required to elect Representa-
tive was the same everywhere. Ihls
same principle of equahty was carried
into the provision for the Senate. nat
body having the States for its consti-
tuency. they were made equal in their
representation. Nnen ,he States are
deprived of their constituent charac-
ter: when they cease to commission
tho Senator; when the people be-
come mis- constituency and elect MIN
in the same ballot box as the Repre-
sentative, IL should be apparent to any
thinker that q start is made toward
striking down the equality OF ~-.e
States. And why not? They will be de-
nrived OF their constituent character,
they will no longer have representa-
tion as entities in the Senate and If
the principle of equality is to be pre-
served the only method for its trans
fer from the State to the citizen VIII
he by the apportionment Of Senators
TO population. as is the case of Repre-
sentativcs.
Indeed. this plan is already impinged
upon the other by an Amendment pro-
posed by Senator penrosc, of Pcnnsy-
lvania. rhis will give the popuIous
states the same control Of the Senate
they have Of the House, and it is n
further and almost final step toward
that coalespcnce Of III" two Houses
which will give us a Congress OF only
one chamber As a reason for popular
election of Senators it is declared
that Jtatt legislatures are corr uptiJ
influenced in the choice Of Senators
and are not tit to be trusted with that
duty: therefore it should be bestowed
upon the people But the people elect
the legislatures, and the argument
amounts to this: That having shown
themselves unfit to elect decent
legislature, they have thereby PROVED
their fitness to elect proper Senate
OF the United States! Having been un
faithful over few things they are tt
be nut over many. things. Observe tina
we do. not admit the charge that Ii
zaade against State legislatures Wit
20 little discrimination, but II the bal