The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-11
DEPEW TAKES THE FLOOR
Opposes Resolution to Elect Senators
by Direct Vote.
SERVES NOTICE ON SOUTHERN STATES
Thai If This Resolution is Enacted Suffrage
Must be Unrestricted or These States
Will Lose Representation in
Congress.
Congress.
<By the Associated Press.)

Washington, ID. c., Aril 1O.-An effort
vas made late today in the Senate to
obtain an agreement upon the time for
d vote on the Chinese Exclusion Bill.
but 1T was unsuccessful The indications
now are that the vote will be taken next
Tuesday. The measure was under dis
eussion during the entire session today.
except for about an hour in which time
che Postoffice Appropriation Bill was
considered and passed. Three speeches
we're made against the Chinese bill in it's
present form, Mr.. Dillingham;, of Yer
mont, concluding his remarks and Mr.
Stewart, OF Nevada, and Mr.. Hoar. of
Massachusetts, stating their objections
to the bill. Mr.. Stewart said he would
vote for the measure, if it was the best
that could be obtained, as he favored the
exclusion of Chinese laborers, but he was
opposed to many of the provisions of the
measure. Mr.. Hoar, with considerable
feeling announced his vigorous opposi-
tion to the bill, declaring that he never
wculd vote for it,
Early in the session Mr.. Depew, of
Now YORK, spoke briefly against the adop-
tiou OF the resolution providing for the
election of Senator'S by popular vote. In
effect, he served notice upon those States
which had limited their suffrage that if
the resolution was enacted a demand
would be made upon them to accord all
their citizens the right to vote. or suf-
fer loss of representatives in Con-
grcss.
afr. Depew offered an amendment to
the resolution to provide for the election
of Senator'S by popular VOTE The amend
ment WAS as follows:
''The qualification of citizens entitled
TO vote for United States Senator's and
Representatives in Congress shall be uni
form in all the State. and Congress shall
have power to ti.,1rce this article by
appropriate legis iation and to provide for
the registration of citizens entitled to
vote, the conduct of such elections and
the certificate cf the result
in part Mr.. Depew said:
Tho amendment under consideration
proposed TO make the Senate popular
body aud reverse the principle upon which
Tie Cove r. -ccnt has existed down to the
present tiElc. With the adoption of such
an an g llnont 10 the Constitution if it
Is adopted. this addition which 1 offer to
j tis ahe clear and logical sequence.
"a number of States have by various
devices presented a third, or half or
mc:o of citizens, recognized as such by
the Constitution of the United States
fron accepting the right of suffrage. The
io; ~ reasons which have led to the adop-
ton of these measures are not pertinent
90 ,his discussion. The adoption of these
constitutions in several States however,
'nntaininG grandfather and other
clauses, has led to movement in the
House OF Representatives and in the leg
islatures of some States to change the
representation in the House of Represen-
tattves from population to votes
But if in the election of United States
Senators small oligarchy in any State
ca nsend here a representation equal to
that of great States like New York.
whieh have manhood suffrage: if States
in which half of the voters are disfran-
chsed are to have an equal voice in this
body with States like Pennsylvania, of
five or ten times their population and
with manhood suffrage; if New York,
which casts because of it's manhood suf-
frage t,547,912 votes, is to be neutralized
in legislation affecting her vast inter-
csts by Mississippi casting $4,000 votes
because the majority of her citizens are
disfranchised-then the situation becomes
intolerable.
''T am not, under ordinary crcum-
stances. and normal conditions, in favor
of the proposed reduction of representa-
tiyes in the Southern States; l am not
in favor OF any legislation by the general
government which interferes with the
local affairs of those commonwealths; but
il the door is opened by the adoption of
this amendment to the constitution for
the changing of the character and con-
stitntion of the Senate of the United
States then that measure must neces
sRriiy be accompanied by power to in
sr "a full and honest vote of the citizens
OF the republic and protect this body in
The esactis Il of those who may be desig
mated heTs as Senator's
Ir. Dspew was accorded the profound
atteBtioH Of the Senate as he spoke.
During the consideration of the Post
office Appropriation Bill Mr.. Tillman (S |
CO. offered an amendment directing the |
Postmaster General to buy metal boxes |
of Uniform size for the use of the pat |
roas Of the rural free delivery service |
at cost not exceeding fifty cents each /
and 10 furnish them to the patrons of the |
service at cost.
The amendment was adopted after q )