Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-14
OUR LETTER BOX



OMAHA, Jan 1s.-To the Editor Of The
Bee: The most important national question
before the American people is the method
by which the members of the United States
senate are elected.
During the last decade, by reason OF
events, this question has been forced to
the fore, and a popular clamor has arisen
In every state of the union demanding an
amendment to our national constitution
whereby the members of the senate shall
be elected directly by the people of the
states and be Immediately responsible to
their constituency.
Whether or not this universal demand
is one founded upon sound reasoning and
national expediency we will consider.
The United States constitution provides,
In substance, that the legislative depart
ment of our government shall be composed
of two branches--the house of representa-
tives, which shall be chosen directly by
the people every two years. and the senate,
which shall be chosen by the legislatures
| of the several states. Each state is al
lowed two senators, irrespective of popula-
ton or size. To the legislatures of tine
states is given the power to regulate the
time, place and manner of holding their
! election of senator's while to congress is
reserved the power to modify these regula-
| tons, except as to the place of choosing
senators.
1t appears from the deliberations of the
fathers who formed the great document
of human rights called the United States
constitution that the real purpose and rea-
| son underlying the above provision was as
| follows:
Each OF - original states was Jealous
of its power and sovereignty. The small
states feared that IL representation in con-
gress was to be determined by population,
their power and Importance would be lost
and the small states would have but ittle
or no influence in legislation affecting the
union
The, larger states were unwilling to go
into a union unless the representation in
congress should be determined by popula-
ton. The large states argued that their
interests were larger and more diversified,
and that IL each state was to be permitted
equal representation in congress. irrespect-
i've of size and population, then the larger
states would lose their prestige and infiu-
ence and gain nothing by virtue of the
union.
Thus by reason of these jealousies and
diversified interests. the fathers were con-
} fronted with a serious and delicate prob
} lem. A legislative system must be estab-
lished which would satisfy the large states
and protect the smaller states.
Therefore, the system whereby the house
OF representatives, in which all measures
for public revenue must originate. should
be elected according to the population OF
the several states, thus protecting the
large states from unjust and unfair taxa
ton. and also to maintain their influence
and prestige. And the senate, which should
al Al IL
states. and thereby protect and maintain
the smaller states as against unjust and
unfair treatment by the larger states
2 BY this plan. what seemed to be an al.
n most unsurmountabie difficulty, was
avoided and the union was saved.
= The senate was to represent the states
b as separate entities and the house OF rep
I, resentatives the people.
i The next problem to be solved. and tn,
|; one which we are considering, was: How
! should the senate be chosen? This was Il
be body which on account of it's balanc
ing power between the states should b,
y composed of the best and most Learned
e men of the nation. II should be composed
e of men who were intensely patriotic for tn,
union, and who should be broad enough
4 to legislate for the common good of tn,
nation. 1t should be body which would
, not be controlled by passion or influenced
by special interests. 1t was to be tn,
trustee Of a union, conceived through op
presssion. born in revolution. and estab
lished and maintained by blood and untol'
sacrifice. No greater or more sacred trus
could body of men assume.
1t was argued by members OF the conven
ton that by placing the responsibility o
choosing these trustees with the legislature
of the various states that the best and mos
patriotic men would be selected. That eac
state through its legislature would selec
men OF high character learning and know
, probity to MI this most responsible position
1t was argued that the legislature woul
: appreciate its responsibility and be NOR
. apt TO choose wisely than the people Tn
legislature was presumed 10 work to tn
, common welfare and not special and mel
cenary ends. The trust seemed to be S
, sacred that the fathers could not conceiy
OF legislature so base as to violate it,
The establishment of this mode OF seleC
} ton proved the wisdom of the conventio
for century OF time. The legislatures
the various states meet full well their +,
. sponsibility. and whatever failings tho
I may have had in other directions they a
most universally sent to the United State
! senate the best and most high minded
men From the different commonwealth
. there came TO the senate the greatest me
: OF the period. Men who knew their tru
and who appreciated the honor; men.
whom money had no luster: men who love
their country and its people and who b
I lieved in its future. They were patrio
E whom money could not buy; they legislats
( for the common good and not special inte
ests Their Interpretation of the constit
! ton and the manner in which they me
: the important issues Of the day. with bra
= and foresight represent the brightest pag
: In the history OF our country.
4 The plan had worked out admirably. tt
i country was progressive and satisfied. u
\ der the conditions then existing the sena
Z met the expectations of the constitution
Q trainers.
: In the course OF events the nation undo
y went a great commercial revolution. Car
Il tai sought capital and great Industrial Q
tsrprises sprung uR Combinations a.