The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-25

the method of electing Senator'S is
question for debate. The fathers and
founders thought it best to lodge this
power in the Legislatures of the States.
The Senate was to be check on the
House of Representatives and the
exeeutive-a kind of review court They
never intended that it should be popu-
lar legislative branch of the government
like the House. On the contrary, it was
to represent the dignity and sovereignty
of the States composing the Union. and
to maintain and preserve their autonomy
and independence as members of the
Federal compact So, primarily. Sena-
tors do not represent the people, but
the States. as each State is entitled to
two Senators without regard to popula-
tien area of territory or wealth ] am
not contending, however, that the people
would not elect as able and suitable men
to the Senate as have been elected by
tn Legislatures, but, like all change, it
would be an experiment. No primary or
convention designated for the Senate,
John c. Calhoun, Thomas III. Benton and
Allen G. Thurman. nor Willie p. Man
gum, William A. Graham and Zebulon
b. Vance. 1t has been the pride of the
States, as. rule, to send to this august
body their wisest and most illustrious
sors, and, be it said to their honor. but
few have betrayed the trust and conf
dence reposed in them. During The one
hundred and fifty years of our political
existence the Senate has been a veritable
anchor in time of the nations peril
When the House has been swept by
passion and partisan rancor and the
jority, the Senate has pursued the even
tenor of its way under general parlia-
mentary law and. defeated hurtful and
i'll advised measures of the House In
der the Reed rules the House has ceas I'd
to be a deliberative body, and its pro-
cecdings are controlled absolutely by
the Speaker and his committee on rules,
anC without their consent no bill can
be considered in the House. The Senate
is much more responsible to the public
will than the House, and with its SPLEEN
I did record before us, L do not think it
wise for the Democratic party to leave
the, tried and beaten path Illuminated by
the light of experience. We should re-
ceive the admouition Of St. Paul and
abide in the ship rather than take pas
sage in a life boat without chart or COM
pass. The Republican party is adrift
on an unknown sea of expansion and i'm
perialism, and no living man can say
authoritatively what the policy of that
party is to be on the Philippine ques-
| ton. But the Constitution is not in
their way, When it ccntravenes their
schemes they appeal to the higher law
or proceed under the general welfare
clause. But the Democratic party has
always boastd that one of it's flInda-
mental principles is a strict construction
| OF the Constitution, and | sincerely trust
| that the day will never come when it
can be said that it has departed from
| this principle. If it does, the people will
/ have lost their last strong hold of con
stitutional liberty. The Constitution
with its checks and balances. has safely
guided the republic from its infancy, ard
it Will continue to do so, unless the peo-
pie cease to respect it. and follow some
| ignisfatuis to their ruin
Some say that the Democratic platform
inGorses the primary theory. I deny it
The platform declares in favor of amend
ing the Constitution so that Senator'S
| shall be elected by popular vote in
stead of by the Legislature. We should
not become impatient for reforms and
make tho mistake of substituting sug-
gestion in political platform for an ex-
press provision of the Constitution And
Whether this, so-called. primary would
be more favorable to the success of one
man tham another is a matter with which
the party has nothing to do Let those
who aspire to the Senate join hands
with their friends and work mishtily FOR
a great Democratic victory, and then
/ all can submit their claims to the tribu-
nal which made Bragg and Ransom and
Vance Senators. and the party will be
satisfied with the result and the State
will have good man and a good Demo
erat as the colleague of Senator Sim
mons. Respectfully,
w. T. CRAWFORD.
| Waynesville, N. c., May "a, 1902.
|