The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-03-25
THE POPULAR ELECTION IDEA.

was stated these dispatches night OF tWo ago.
strong for believing that the resolution povd
ing for constitutional amendment permitting the election
Of United States by direct vote OF the people
will be reported from the senate committee on Priv
leges and elections in which subered since the
house passed and the higher legislative body
There have in the past number OF develop
mcnts which indicate that the sentiment in favor OF the reso
luton is stronger than before but there is nothing in
evidence the present time tending to show that this
strength will be sufficient to even get the resolution
out of the committee
William Jennings Bryan, when in the city few days
ago paid particular attention TO the matter OF these pro
posed popular elections and this fact undoubtedly had the
effect OF causing interest than usual to be manifested
in the premises Only day or before this Senator
Berry of Arkansas made unusual move in the matter
which nothing less than attempt to force
the committee the resolution possible
Then the FIRST day that Mr. Bryan appeared in the
city Senator Boies Penrose of Pennsylvania offered his
famous amendment the purpose of which unquestonaby
TO kill the whole by making Objectionable to
some of those senators who inclined to favor the
popular election idea them change their minds
Mention of this amendment has been made in this CORE
spondence previous occasions but the text of
has been published In order that the readers of
The Post may know exactly what Mr. Penrose proposes to
do, the amendment is here given in full
The Of the United States shall be composed of at
least two from each State and additional
by direct OF the people thereof for term Of years
and each senator shall have vote plurality of votes
for candidates for shall elect and the electors
shall have the qualifications requisite for the electors OF the
most numerous branch Of the State legislature Vacancies
IN the representation OF State in the senate shall be
filled in the same manner such vacancies now filled
in the house OF representatives 1t shall he the duty OF con
gress when fixing and 9pporonng representatives from the
several States in the house Of representatives after each
70 d% ss State e me that each
State shall have at least two senator's This amendment
senators chosen before it becomes valid of the
constitution.
Mr. Penrose has had nothing say regarding his amend
men since his original announcement concerning it. further
than express the opinion that it explains itself There
doubt in the minds OF those who are keeping in close
touch with the however that Mr. Pcnroses sole idea
in offering the amendment to Mil the whole
Some CT his friends claim that something like that suggest
ed by him viii be the natural outcome OF the election OF
aors by the people but there much for doubt
MIR. Penroses sincerity, nevertheless.
Numerous stories have been sent out of Washington
Gently the effect that Several OF the republican
Of the committee privileges and elections favor of
the resolution There is no basis for any such assertion As
OF fact the only republican member Of the commit
tee who will vote for favorable report the
Chairman Burrows and the strength thus added to the demo-
cratic side Offset by the fact that Senator Pettus rank
ing democratic member OF he committee strenuously
opposed the popular election plan as any republican on
the committee or in the senate whole Senators Hoar
Foraker and Depew all unusually bitter in their oppo-
ston to the plan and Senators Pchad McComas Bever-
idge and Dillingham; all arrayed against it. Thus the
committee divided eight five which figures represent
the number of democrats and republicans holding member
ship in the body Senator Burrows will confidently es
pected vote with Senators Bailey Blackburn Dubois and
Foster OF Louisiana the democrats who follow Senator Pet
tus the committee, and Mr. Pcus will vote with the
seven republicans who are opposed to the plan
=
As has been stated in the Washington dispatches to The
Post the committee merely the matter in casual
Tuesday last when the resolution was first taken I'M
and decided to consideration at each succeed
ing weekly meeting until decision is reached There n
practically no doubt at this time the of that de
cison OF course II is possible that of the rcnbc,
members change their md IL,
vorable report may he returned But even though tbis
should be the there no reason to believe that
the resolution could be forced through Inasnch as the
matter OF constitutional amendment involved vote of
two thirds of all the members of the senate would he 80
say to the adoption of the resolution there is absolute
ly reason at this time believe that so much STRENGTH
could be mustered OF course many senators will hesitate
to vote against the proposed change because of rk
fear that negative would be construed as an ;di
ton that they afraid go the people Of their
respective States. The chances OF many OF the members ~
the higher body are unQuesouaby before legislature
than they would be before the whole people and these
tors WILL II they possibly their way clear vote
against the adoption Of the resolution
senator Hoar who has been consistent opponent Of N.
popular election idea Tor years believes that plan such as
is suggested by the Penrose amendment would b. the 80
raj consequence of the election senators by popuar VOTE
and that in time congress would become nothing NOR 49,
less than two houses OF representatives the membership m
ooth the senate and the house being on population
thus giving the larger States advantage in ev
way N'5
The idea also advanced this connection that the -;
e OF all concerned would be best by the general
adoption OF the primary election plan in vogue in Texas and
oner southern States where the legislatures that elect sena
'orS are instructed by the people at the primaries
Even some OF the democrats say that thev do nor bi
inc adoption OF the popular election plan would have the
enect OF doing away with the money in senao;I
elections They believe that such men as QUAY of PennI
Vanla and Plat OF New York could control the whole E
on machinery OF their respective States just as easily
ney now control their legislatures and that therefore M
situation would be better far as the use of money
concerned, than it is now 10
All OF these matters will, OF course be fully eonsdI
by the committee privileges elections before m do
eson arrived at and in the event that favorable ~
is made will again be threshed over bv the senate a.