Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1904-11-17
A POPULAR PLAN.


bring about the popular election OF
senator's; also some argument in sup
port of the plan.
The house of representatives in both
the Fifty second and Fifty third con
crosses adopted resolutions submitting
the necessary constitutional amend
ment, but each time the senate defeated
action. A similar resolution was
passed by the house in the Fifty. sixth
congress. In 1868 President Johnson
first in a special and later in an an
nual message, urged the submission of
an amendment placing the election of
United States senators in the hands of
the people at large, and from that day
to this there has been constant
growth OF sentiment in favor of this re-
form. Wherever the matter has been
acted upon by the people an over
whelming majority has been recorded
in favor of the proposition. The affirm
ative argument may be summed up as
follows.
Flrst-The people have a right to
speak through senator's of their own
selection.
Second - Corruption and corporate
influence are bringing scandal and
disgrace upon senatorial elections and
impeaching the integrity Of a legisla-
tive body which ought to stand above
suspicion.
Third Senatorial elections, as con
dncted at present, interfere with the
legitimate work of state legislatures.
Whatever causes may have led to
the adoption of.tbe existing method Of
selecting senators, experience has not |
only shown that the people can be
trusted with the direct choice. Of their |
public servants, but it has also demon |
strated that the nearer the government
IS brought to the voter the better it is
Tor both tie government and the peo |
pie. There is more virtue in the
masses than ever finds expression
through their representatives., because
representatives are influenced TO 4
greater or less extent, by their per,
sonal interests.
1t is true that even with popular
elections the nominations would be
made by conventions. but the fact that
the voters would afterwards sit in
Judgment upon the work Of the dele.
gates would be Il constant restraint.
The last few years have furnished
SO many instances of corporate il,-
huence or corruption operating in the
election OF senator's that no elaboration
OF the second argument is necessary
Ii mas become apparent to the most
casual observer that candidates backed
oy railroads and other large corpora
tlons nave an enormous advantage over
men who must rely upon their personal
popularity or worth
While in some instances moray b,s
oec" useo 10 purchase votes outright,
the method more frequently emploved
IS TO place the legislators under oblipa-
tion TO a particular candidate bv pecu-
mary aid furnished during the c,m-
paign. Organized capital is also able
10 orlng pressure to bear upon leojsIo-
tors by the bestowal of fayors,
hut aside from the arguments which {
affect the character OF The men selected
the oest interests of the state REQUIRE
that the legislators shall hc relieved If
the duty OF electing senator's. becanse
legislative candidates can not NOV. ha {
voted Tor according to their fitness for
legislative work. AS one.third OF tho
United States senator's are elected
every TWO years, two Legislative scs-
s'ons where they are bienniaD out Of
every three are called upon to settle, :,
controversy and this controversy as -
rule, overshadows all other matters i
When the contest is proror,,od ~, &
VA business is Interrupted by I
oa'iy bailoting and attention is divert.
Ell from state affairs. G
Some object to the proposed chance $
on the ground that the cons+;,,t;9. !
should not be disturbed, but this ;s al t
ways 'he argument Of those who an. L
satished with things as they are rh,, /
best friends of the constitute, Y
those who desire to strengthen it in IN,
ahec''ons OF the people by making IL
CONFORM to the wish.s of the peon,e +,
There is no force i'm the. ob;ect;o, ,
urged by some that !, senator shouIa
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