The Forrest City times., 1908-08-14
Popular Election of Senators.

c present method of eiecting United States struction of reforms. For 1oe wears after the adoption of the constitution. the de- mand for the popular election Of senators while finding increased expression. did not become dominant sentiment \ constitutional amendment had from time to time been suggested and the matter had been more or less discussed in a few of the states. but the movement had not reached point where II manifested it- self through congressional action. In the Fifty-second congress, however. 4 reso- lution was reported from q house com mittee proposing the necessary constitu- tioual amendment. and this resolution passed the house of repre sentatiVes by a vote which was practically unanimous. In the Fifty third congress q similar res olution was reported io. and adopted by the house of representatives Both the Fifty-sccond and lIftH-thIrd congresses were Democratic. The Republicans gained control of the house as a result of the election of lN94 and iA the F3ftN-fourth congress the proposition dIed in commit tee. As time went on however. the sen tnent grew among the people, until !; forced a Republican eonSrtss to follow the example set hy the IeHseeeats and tEcn another and another EepubIran congress acted f5NoHabIv= State after state has indorsed thS reform. until near Y two thirds of tEe states have recorded themselves in it's favor. The Gn3ted States senate however imrldenty and afIasHUtlE obStyuets tie F.~sa gc Of t!.e resolution. notwithstanding tAe faa that tae voters of the United States by an oNrru htluiug majority, demand ft And tt=is retlSll Is the more significant N14et it Is rom, ,Uhored that a number of ssu- atars oWe tl,lr elections Ia great =aaHpat= ate interests. Three Democratic nation G1 rt Y.f.l l.f and lee>-s specifically aaH for a change Tn tAe constitution which Nil put tbe ,ltc- ton of senators in tGe hands of ff4e yo- ters. and the proposition las been sn- dorsed bN number of the smaller Har- ties but no Rep.bHaaa national o6a- Heutiou has been wiling to champion The cause uf the people cn this subject fhe subject WAS ignored bY tbe Rep4b54- can national convention ln laue. | Was is- norfd in 1904 and tHe prepos.uo Was explicitly repudiated ia lslN. for The ge- cent Republican national convention. bv a vote of S6e 10 li+ re5a5 ted tae plank indorsing the popular election of sen- atorS-aud this Was done in tAe eeHsea- tion which nominated Mr Taft few dele gates from his own state voting for the plank
 The Gateway 10 Other Reforms.
 shall the people rule.a Every remedial measure of national character must run the gauntlet Of the senate The presi- dent may personally incline toward reform; the house may consent 10 lt but as long as the senate obStruCts the reform. the people must wait The pres ideRt may heed DOT glaF demand the house may yield to public opinion bur as long as the senate IS d. shaut the rule Of the people is defeated The Democratic platform very properly describes the pop ular election of senators AS the gate ref open the gate. or shall Vs allow the eX- plotting interests 10 bar the way by the control of this branch of the federal leg isiaturs Through 6 Democratic victory