The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-15

Washington, April 11.-Some remarks
which Senator Depew. of New York,
made yesterday concerning the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution
by popular vote, in the course of
OF which he adyerted to southern cleo
ton methods. 7recipitated a lively de-
bate in the sen lite today.
Senator Money, of Mississippi. to
whose state re- erence had been made
by the New YORK senator, replied tart
ly II some Of the statements of Sena-
tor Depew and defended the suffrage.
clauses in the Mississippi constitution
Senator DeDew made a warm reply and
attacked the election methods, not ONLY
of Mississippi. but OF several other
southern states. His remarks drew a
sharp fire from several senator's.
Senator Money and his colleague, Sem
ator McLauriE. explained Mississippi's
election methods and Senator Sim
MONS, of North Carolina, pointed out
that Senato Derew had been entirely
" TIE operation OIL the
constitution of that state and that his
statements were senator
of Kentucky, warmly ar
falened the New York senator for his
on Kentucky elections.
When the Chinese exclusion bill was
taken up an agreement was reached
mat a vote should be taken on it next
Wednesday at l o'clock. enator Tel
Ter OF Colorado. supported the meas
ure In a brief speech. maintaining that
1t was necessary and that it was not
IN c"ontraventiol of our treaty obIiga-
ttons with China
senator Money in his remarks on
senator Depew said he did not quite
understand Why Senator Depew should
DISCUSS the question at this time as il
was understood generally that the re-
solution would he reported adversely
10 the senate. He said that Senator
Depew has selected Mississippi tn
cr1ticise for DISTINGUISHING it's citizens
ana 10 contrast with the state OF New
YORK He said ne did not know wheth-
er the amendment proposed by Senator
DepeW or his remarks thereon. were
intended to deter any one from sun
porting the resolution. but if if were
SO intended, 1T would fail of its object
fhe rattle of small arms. he said.
would brighten nobody. He would
content himself with replying to the
IRE o. the skirmishers with a promise
that when the heavy guns were
brought into action il would he the
effort of his side of the chamber to
aford them entertainments.
Referring to the statement of Soma
LOT Depew. he said that if the vote of
the people of a state was to be domi-
mated by a small oligarchy what cou.d
De said of the influence of great corpora
IONS VINO a their representatives in
TINS city? He denied that any citizen
or Mississippi was refused by the con-
S1tutlon of the state the right to vote
When a state, like Massachusetts, or
mississippi" said he, says that a man
u be able to read and understand a
parasraDh of the constitution. that is
not a disability within the puryieW of
the Fourteenth amendment
Replying to one of Senator DepeW's
arguments, Senator Money said he
could not understand how the sover-
eighty of a state would be invaded by
the ADOPTION of an amendment to the
constitution providing for the election
OF senator by the people. but he could
see that the efforts of corporations and
trusts to crowd the senate chamber
with their agents would be invaded.
He explained that Mississippi had a
registered vote of 125, 600. but many OF
them did not vote because of the poll
tax of 81 90. And he believed the body
polite was the purer because of the
Self-exclusion of such people"
In conclusion Senator Money declared
that it was not the southern states
which were dissatisfied with the present
method of electing United States sena-
tors, but republican ~stetes, which evi.
IDENTIFY were dissatisfied with their rep.
resentation in this CHAMBER.
Senator Depew took occasion immedi.
ately to reply to Senator Moneys re.
marks. He said he chad proposed his
amendment because he desired to get
the important question before the SEN
ate and before the country. Some OF
the legislatures of the country haG
adopted resolutions in favor of thu
proposition to elect United States sena.
tors by the people, but evidently there
had been no proper consideration of thu
question. The proposed amendment hat
passed the house OF representative:
without a moments consideration Of
discussion, the effort seemingly being
20 unload the whole question upon tht
senate He declared that the adoption
or the proposition would open a per
feet Pandora's box of a~r1c13ments, thu
end OF which no man could see: We
the proposition had been passed by tn,
house of representatives without a rea.
son being presented either for O
against it.
Senator Depew said Senator Mone-
had taken issue with his proposition
that all senators should be elected b,
vote on an equal basis. He insisted tina
IL senators were to be elected by popu
lar vote, the whole question of thei
election would be called no wheneve
their credentials were presented.
when the senator from Mississippi
shall come here" said Senator Depew
"and I hope he may continue to come
the senate will want TO Know whetne
citizens of Mississippi have had TN
light. under the constitution or IN
United Statets to vote for or agafns
him. If any of them have been de
prived of that right. the senator wi
have a hard roa to travel when h
K his. seat"
Senator Depew suggested that Sena
tor Money had sneered at the grea
vote of 1.500, 900 cast in the state o
New York and intimated the voter
we're controlled by trusts and corpora
tons. He had not intended TO ente
upon this question. because 1T was dis
agreeable. but Senator Moneys re