Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-28
Iowa Senate Favors the Election of q.
s. Senator'S by Direct Vote of the.
Peonle

FeOple.
After five hours debate which was
as acrimonious and personal as any
Leard for years in the Iowa legisla-
tive halls, the state senate last Fri
day adopted the Lewis resolution
authorizing Governor Cummins to
call a convention of representatives
of the several states of the union to
devise means to secure the amend
ment of the federal constitution SO
that United States senators shall be
elected by the people instead of by
thelegislatures.
The Register and Leader says
that the standpatters made a bril-
liant fight to prevent the adoption Of
the resolution but when they saw
that it was going to pass gotinto the
band wagon on the roll call. The
vote stood % for to 9 against.
Senator Lewis distinguished him
self in speech in which he told
some wholesome truths about the
members of the upper house Of con-
gress. He said: "But what is far
worse, the senate has become the le-
thai chamber forIevery popular meas
ure demanded by the people.
Pure food legislation has been
kept waiting for fifteen years by the
whiskey and transportation interests
in the senate.
The statehood bills are put to
sleep forsoothe a senator owns mines
in Arizonr that are taxed less under
territorial form of government than
they would be under state govern
ment.
In the struggle that has been 90
ling on since 1897 for railway rate
regulation law the senate still stands
rebellious against the demands of
the people.
The United States senate has es-
tablished rules with no warrant or
precedent from any Legislative body
on earth whereby one senator may
block any desired legislation. Prac-
tically no business can be done and
no conclusion determined upon ex-
cept by unanimous consent.
The United States senate is in a
condition bordering on state Of de-
generacy. Three of its members
have been under Indictment for cor
rupt malfeasance in office. The rail
roads own many seats in the senate.
The Standard Oil company is report
ed to have bought and paid for seats
in the United States senate. The
insurance corporations, the express
companies, the steel and sugar trusts
!, and other interests are accredited
with senators who should represent
their respective states.
q, 1t is easier to control the small
bodies Of men composing legislatures
than it is to debauch an entire cleo,
torate. Special interests have little
to hope for when all the people have
r a chance to vote for United States
senator's.
If senators were elected by the
people they would represent thepeo
pie. A majority of them are elected
by special interests. So they obey
the power that elects and may dis
miss.
The state of Iowa is happily stu.
, ated for extending this invitati on
Her senators faithfully represent, as
was originally intended, the state
We may pass this bill without cast.
ing reflection upon our senators
We but desire that they be provided
with more honorable associates.
Let Iowa's legislature drop this
bomb into the camp of the conspira-
: tors now plotting under the direc
, ton of Aldrich, Foraker, Kean and
Elkins against the just demands Of
} the people as voiced by Iowa's dis
tinguished representatives in boil
branches of the congress.
Fl We are weary Of petitioning. W.
> are through with pleading and sof
words. 1t is time to stop this gentl,
E tapping at the front door of the sen
, ate chamber and go to the back doc
2 and proceed to clean out the augeal
! stable and make it a fit place for TIL
] decent, seff-respecting representa-
? tives Of the people.