The Washington herald., 1908-05-24

An effort made by Senator Owen, OF
Oklahoma, to secure action by the Senate
on resolution proposed by him TO pro-
vide for a constitutional convention 10
consider amending the Constitution so
that United States Senators shall be
elected by direct vote of the people
brought about somewhat spicy debate
in the Senate yesterday
The best that Mr.. Owen could secure
was an yea and nay vote on the refer
enee OF his resolution 70 a committee.
and by vote of 90 to % It was sent TO
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions, together with two amendments
designed TO prevent It's passage.
In a speech advocating his resolution,
Mr. owen called the attention OF Senator's
from twenty-seven States, twenty or
which are represented by Republican Sen
ators. 10 the fact that their legislatures
have adopted resolutions approving an
amendment such as is proposed in his
resolution. This brought Senator Hale, OF
Maine. to his feet, with a pleasant little
bundle Of barbed arrows in the way OF
sarcasm, which he proceeded to launch
at the Senator from Oklahoma. who is
serving his first term as a solon.
Hale Becomes Sarcastic.
Mr.. Hale wanted TO know why so new
a Senator felt 1t to be his duty to point
out the failure Of HIS seniors TO act upon
the suggestion Of their respective -iegis-
latures
What" asked the Senator from Maine,
''is the measure OF their delinquency?
Why. if the Senator from Oklahoma can
inform me, have they neglected their
duty all these years? I'd like the new
Senator from Oklahoma to tell me that"
Possibly" replied Mr.. owen. abso-
lutely untouched by Mr.. Hales pointed
shafts. because it requires an extraordl-
nary effort TO get action by this body-I
am making an extraordinary verbal ef-
fort now
This retort brought laughter from Sen
ators and spectators, in the midst of
which Senator Aldrich inquired il the
Senator from Oklahoma understood that
Senators we're bound by the action Of
thelr legislatures In such matters.
Owen RebuLes the Rebuker.
Il do not" replied Mr.. owen. with
positiveness. Then he turned back to
Mr.. Hale. The Senator from Maine Is
not called upon" he said. Ito rebuke the
Senator from Oklahoma for his failure to
arrive sooner in this body-he came as
soon as he could"
As Oklahoma is still in her first year as
a State, this sally brought renewed
laughter
Senator Denev- b,d ,,i,,a A. o., -.
yield TO him so that he could offer. an
amendment to the resolution. Mr.. Owen
declared in the course Of his speech that
the amendment would propose to increase
the number Of Senators from each State,
with the object OF delaying or defeating
his resolution Asked by Mr.. Depew how
he knew this, Mr.. Owen replied:
Il am mind reader. Mr.. PRESIDENT
He then demanded immediate considera-
tion Of the resolution. and Senator. Lodge
asked II IT had ever been considered by a
committee Of the Senate Mr.. Owen re-
piled that Il had not. and after a colloouy
as 10 whether the matter was properly
before the Senate, Mr.. Owen moved that
the resolution be taken up for considera-
tion. and demanded the yeas and nays on
his motion.
While Senators were discussing the pro-
idge made d valiant effort to turn the
resolution aside by proposing considera-
ton OF bill relating 10 the Territories,
which he'd been pending all day. Senator
Gallinger. however, objected 10 this inter
ruptiOn Of the matter in hand and Mr..
Beveridge sat down.
Resolution Goes to Committee.
The Vice President decided that the
question of the propriety OF Mr., Owens
motion would have to be determined by
the Senate, and when Mr.. Owen again de-
manded the yeas and nays, Mr. Hale
moved that the resolution BE referred to
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons. Mr.. Owen Immediately demanded
a roll-call on this motion, and II was or
dered- The motion TO refer TO the com
mittee was carried. 80 to 20. the Senators
present being recorded as follows:
To refer-senators Aldrich. Allison. Brandesee.
Briggs. BuTnham. Burrows. Carter. Clark Of Wyom-
ing. Crane Cnllom. Depew. Dick. Dillingham;.
FOakeT. GallingCT, Guggenheim. Hale. Heybum.
Hopkins Kean. Knox. Lodge Long. Nelson. Pen
rose. Richardson Stewart. Warner Warren. and
Wetmore Republicans; Senators Bacon. Bankhesd
and Smith Of Mnryland. DemoTats-&
Not to Tofer-SenatOrs Ankeny. BeTeridgc BOrah.
Brown, ClapP Dixon. La Toilette. Perkins Piles.
Senators Gore. Johnston McCreary, Newlands,
owen. OVeman. Paynter. Simmons. and Teller,
Democnts-0.
Senator Depew then submitted an
amendment proposing that the voters in
all the States should have uniform quail
fications, and giving TO the Federal gov
ernment authority 20 compel this uni
forTnity. This is aimed at the Southern
States. which have partly disfranchised
the negroes. and would compel the South
ern Senators to vote against the resolu-
tion.
Senator Penrose also proposed an
amendment providing that each State
shall have two Senator'S. but also add-
tional Senators for certain units Of excess
population over the population Of the
least populated State. the number OF SEN
ators IN any case being limited 10 fifteen
from any one State.
Later in the day Senator Foraker asked
for the printing of 1000 copies OF the
late Senator Hoar's speech IN opposition
10 the popular election OF Senators, for
distribution by Senator's