Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-23
SENATORS and THE PEOPLE
FUNCTIONS OF THE SENATE DE-
SIGNED BY FOUNDERS.
No Reason for Popular Election of
Members-Buffer Between Haste
and Usurpation.

Emmett O'Neal. in North American Review.
The division of the legislative depart
ment into two separate and Independent
branches was so strongly recommended
by the teachings of political history and
the unequivocal language of experience
that it obtained the general approval of
the. convention that framed the Constitu-
ton of the United States. From the
earliest records of time, from the his
tory of every government. the great po-
litical truth had been deduced that sim
gle legislative assembly had always en-
croached upon constitutional rights, had
always gradually absorbed all power, and
had uniformly terminated its career in a
legislative oligarchy, which united in It
self all the extremes of bad government
Yet. although there was no division of
sentiment as to the necessity of two
chambers. In the organization of the Sem
ate the widest and apparently most ire
Concilable conflict of sections, interests
and opinions was developed. The small
states were unwilling to consent to a SEN
ate which gave greater representation
and a preponderating influence to the
large states. So bitter was the struggle
that It seemed probable at one time that
the convention would adjourn without
completing fits labors. 1t was at this crit
ical period In its history that Franklin of
.1eTed MS CelfDfateQ mOtlOn Lhat the Qe-
alterations OF the convention be opened
with prayer; and the agreement which
was so soon afterward reached on ques-
tons which had provoked the widest diff
ferences of opinion gave basis for the
claim, made by some that divine guild
ance was evident in the subsequent de-
lberations of the convention.
Effect of Prayer.
Certain IT is that the local jealousies
the struggle OF interests, the conflict Of
sections and the selfish and intolerant
feeling which had so often been mani
tested gave place to a spirit OF concilia-
ton and compromise. and A broader and
deeper national sentiment which speedily
composed faction and secured united ac-
ton.
The Senate Of the United States has
been termed the masterpiece of the con-
rention. Its creation was not the result
Of previously formed plans. Emerging
from the deliberations OF the convention
As the result of compromises made be-
tween sovereign and independent states
vested with both legislative and executive
functions. its formation was less the re-
suit of theory than in the language Of its
trainers. ''of spirit of amty and of mu-
tual Difference and concession. which the
regularity of the situation of the United
States rendered Indispensable
the convention as To the mode of ap-
pointment of senator's: one was by the
legislature of each state: another was by
The people thereof; and third was by
the other branch Of the national legisla-
fure. either directly out of a secret
nomination. The last scheme met with
10 support, nine states voting against it
and one being divided. The second
scheme. OF an election by the people, met
with as little favor. The first scheme
IIo lot ro
Of each state, prevailed by unanimous
vote.
Mr. Bryce. in his American Common
wealth, said.
The method OF choosing the Senate by
indirect election has excited the admira-
ton of foreign critics. who have found in
II a sole and sufficient cause of the eX-
cellence of tho Senate as a Legislative and
executive authority
The Present Tendency.
Such also, until OF late years seems to
have been the American opinion: but
careful observrs OF political tendencies
cannot have failed TO notice that Tor the
past decade more movement to-
ward more direct action by the people
acting in their primary capacity in mat
terS of Legislation well as The selection
of public officials. has made itself mani
fest Although the Senate has made itself
ed an intellectual supremacy over the 9TH
er coordinate branch of the legislative de-
partment. although il has fulfilled the ar
dent hopes and verified the profound wis
dom of its creators by its ability to check
what has been termed the democratic
recklesSness' of the House on the one
hand, and the tendency to execute usur-
patton on the other: has performed all its
functions with marked ability. patriotism
and efficiency. and has drawn into it's
ranks the most distinguished men who
have entered public life, yet in recent years
n powerful movement has been growing to
destroy the very feature which in the
judgment of all former students ard crit
les. has been the chief cause OF its excel
lencc-thc indirect election of its members
The steady growth and increa sing
strength OF this movement il one of the
mos; significant manifestations of modern
political tendencies. The truth Of this OBJ
servation was forcibly illustrated a few
wears ago, when the House of Represen-