The Washington times., 1902-04-11


rei 10 Committee.
BEr ar iment will be refer
SOD 20 H. 4IliLtee on Privileges and
elections which has already agreed to a
vote nerf Tgesrar 1 the proposed Con-
stitutional amendment.
The chairman Of that committee is SEN
ator Burrows OF Michigan, the most con-
spicuous Senatorial advocate of the cleo
tfon of Senators by the people. This COM
mittee is composed of thirteen Senator's
eight Republicans and five Democrats.
The resolution will be reported adversely,
and probably by a vote of to 8, although
II will not be strictly on party lines.
Mr.. Burrows will vote with the Demo-
Gratis and Mr.. Pettus of Alabama with
the Republicans. 1t is possible that Mr..
Beveridse may follow the lead OF Chair
man Burrows, but the chances are that
the Michigan Senator will be alone among
the Republicans in voting with the four
Democrats in favor OF the proposed Con-
stitutional amendment.
Ten States Heard From.
The movement set on foot some time
ago to have the various State Legisla-
lures forward to Congress resolutions in
not made much headway of late. So far
resolutions have been received from ten
States, and if twenty other States take
similar action Congress will be compelled
without preliminary proceedings to call
the convention. 1t is not thought likely
that the necessary number of resolutions
will be received. however.
1t is certain that the Senate Will not
act favorabiy on Senator Burrows prop
osition at this session. Whatever hope
there was Of such action, and it was little
enough. has been destroyed by the very
pertinent amendment presented to the
Senate yesterday by Mr.. Depew.
The amendment is construed to be vir
tuaily revival of the force bill" 1t
provides that the qualifications of voters
for United States Senators and Represent
atives shall be uniform in all the States
and that Congress shall have power to
enforce this law.
Aimed to Kill Measure.
While on its face the amendment is full
of the possibilities OF trouble, 1t was said
at the Senate yesterday that Mr.. Depew
introduced 1t simply TO kill the bill for
the popular election of Senators. In this
II is notice 10 the Democrats. who are
generally in favor of the popular election
plan. that the Republicans, who are gem
orally opposed to IL, are willing to fight
against it bitterly. and furthermore it
suggests the possibilities OF what might
follow such change in the Constitution.
The amendment was in the following
language:
The quslifica tlons of citizens entitled
to vote for United States Senators and
Representatives in Congress shall be uni
form in all the States; and Congress shall
have power TO enforce this article by ap
propriate legislation and to provide for
the registration of citizens entitled to
vote, the conduct OF such elections, and
the certincation OF the result"
Senator Depew's Explanation.
Senator Depsw's speech In introducing
the amendment was a further exposi
tion OF the attitude of the Republicans.
He gave the following reasons for his
action:
The adoption of the amendment to
the Constitution for the popular election
of Senators revolutionizes the scheme of
government as It was devised by the
trainers OF the Constitution and as it had
worked admirably for lis years. The idea
of the founders OF the Republic was
popular assemblage elected by the people.
and then q Senate In which all the
States. large and small, should have equal
representation.
The Senate was TO be a body in which
the sovereignty of a State had its repre-
sentation In the nature OF an independent
republic. and sovereignty OF the State
necessarily must be represented In its
corporate capacity. This provision was
not adopted because of distrust OF the
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