The Washington times., 1902-05-10
Resolution Withdrawn Re-
lieving 1t From Further
Consideration.
DEPEW AMENDMENT OBJECTED TO
Mr.. Bailey Explains That Democrats
Oppose Its Provisions-Mr. Berry Con-
siders 1t Unfair to Smother Matter
Views of Senators Foraker and Morgan

The Senate yesterday had lively dis
cussion of the proposed amendment to
the Constitution providing for the elec-
tion Of Senators by popular vote.
The question came up on the resolu-
tion of Mr.. Berry. introduced on Thurs.
day. that the Committee on Privileges and
Elections be discharged from further
consideration OF the matter in order that
the Senate might pass upon 1t directly.
Mr.. Berry stated the facts in the case,
showing that the matter had been re-
ferred to the committee three months
ago. So far as the chairman OF the COM
mittee. Mr.. Burrows. was concerned. Mr.
Berry admitted, he said, that the Mich
igan Senator had done everything in his
power to secure a report; that he was in
favor of the resolution. and had been
diligent in trying to secure a report, but
that he had been overruled by q ma
jority of the committee
Mr.. Berry added that it was not fair
to smother the matter in committee and
to refuse the Senate a chance to pass
upon it.
Objected to Depew Amendment.
Mr.. Bailey. a member Of the commit
tee. said that his reasons for voting
against report, either favorable or ad-
versely. was that the amendment of the
Senator from New York, Mr.. Depew, not
only gave to Congress the control of the
time and manner Of electing Senator's
but also left the qualifications of the
tn ha
could not consent to such change. He
said that he believed that his position
was that of all the Democrats.
Mr.. Berry argued that five months has
certainly been time enough for the
committee to report on subject which
has been discussed for a hundred years,
and on which every member of the COM
mittee has fixed opinion. But, in view
Of the statement made by the chairman
of the committee that report would be
made at an early day. he offered to with
draw his resolution.
Mr.. Foraker. a member of the commit
tee. declared himself opposed to the
House resolution. but stated that he was
prepared to vote for 1t with Mr. Depew's
amendment attached to it.
Mr.. Pettus, member OF the commit
tee. declared himself opposed to the
House resolution in all its parts. and to
Mr.. Depew's amendment in all it's parts.
He had made up his mind. he said. to
hold on to the fragments of the Consti-
tuition as long as any fragments re-
mained.
concurred in Opposition.
Mr.. Morgan expressed his very hearty
concurrence in the views of his colleague:
and he declared it his purpose to object
to any proposed change of the Constitu-
ton while the State OF Delaware was
voiceIess and dead in the Senate. and
while two or three new States were about
to be admitted. He approved the course
OF the committee in not reporting back
the joint resolution.
Mr.. Berry said that in his opinion the
Depew amendment was introduced simply
for the purpose of making it possible for
the Republicans not TO be forced to |
vote on the direct question of the popular |
election.
Mr.. Depew retorted that the amend |
ment was intended simply to give citizens |
to vote under the Fourteenth and Fiji |
teenth amendments the chance to vote
in every State for Senator's
Mr.. Mitchell said he believed the
amendment to the Constitution would
give the Senate the power TO supervise
elections without the Depew addition Mr..
Bailey said that he did not agree with
the Senator from Oregon, but that IL he
did he would be constrained to vote
against the amendment.
Mr.. Hoar pointed out that at least the
Senate would have the right exercised
now by the House to review the cleo
ions of its members.
Mr.. Bailey's Suggestion.
Mr.. Bailey suggested an amendment to
he amendment which should provide that
he qualifications of electors for Senators
should be the same in the several States
Is the qualifications for the electors of
This, ie said. would
remove all doubt as to the
,ower of the States to fix these quail
ications.
Mr.. Berry then withdrew the resolution.