The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-10-08
Petitions for Such Amendment
To Constitution Has Been
Received From Thirty-one
States.
WILL CONGRESS HEED
CALL OF THE NATION
It Is Now Being Asked II the
National Assembly Will Take
Action Desired at the Next
Session.

Washington, d. c., Oct. s.-Thirty-
one states of the Union-two-thirds Of
the sisterhood-have spoken through
their legislatures in favor of an amend
ment to the Federal Constitution pro-
viding for the election of senators by
direct vote.
Thirty-one states compose the num-
Der requisite under Article v, of the
constitution for the calling of con-
vention by congress to propose amend
ments to the great American charte-.
Thirty-One states-the constitutional
two-thirds-have carried out the spirit
of the prescribed call for amendment.
whether or not they have, as a whole,
adhered to the strict letter of the pro-
vision for securing a change In the Or
ganic law.
Will congress, at its coming session
heed the call?
The query is pertinent to a presenta-
ton of facts which hitherto seemed to
have been overlooked in their fullness
even by those who are deeply concern
ed with the direct election propagan-
da.
Have a Majority.
Technically, only twenty-six states
have applied to congress for the calling
of q constitutional convention, but five
others. according to the official records
obtainable here, have expressed the
underlying desire which Is contained
Co. 10 So
adopting resolutions urging the sub
mission of an amendment on the ques-
ton of the direct election of senator's.
There is no mistaking the fact,
therefore, that the proportion of states
in the Union which the fathers decreed
should make 1t incumbent on the con-
gress to act have filed their petition.
In other words, two-thirds of the
states in the Union want United States
senators elected by direct vote of the
people, and the question is: Can con-
gress be made to feel the moral obliga-
ton Of presenting the opportunity fo-
three-fourths of the states to say
whether an amendment to the constitu-
ton by an overwhelmingly popular
sentiment shall be ratified:"
Submitted by Resolution.
Possibly because there is no prece.
dent for the submission of amendment
to the machinery of a convention call
ed on application of the states. laxity
has resulted in the phrasing of the res
olutions which legislatures have adopt
ed in expression of their desire.
All of the amendments thus far pro-
posed for adoption have been submit
ted by resolution Of Congress and rati-
fication has been in every instance by
state legislatures instead of through
state conventions. The proposed
amendment to provide for an income
tax Is now before the country for rati-
fication, as in the case of the amend
ments that have preceded and origi-
mated in the same manner. by a joint
resolution Of both houses of congress.
Alabama, by adopting a resolution
which was approved August 3 of the
present year. has completed the list Of
81 states, which, from the records to
be found here, have demanded an
amendment for the popular election Of
senator's
OHIO 10 missing.
Here are the &c states which have
formally applied to Congress for the
calling of a constitutional conventions:
Arkansas. Minnesota. Utah. Kansas,
Texas. Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota,
Idaho. Washington, North Carolina,
Tennessee, Montana, Nevada, Wiscon-
sin. Missouri. Iowa, Michigan. Oregon.
Louisiana. Colorado. Kentucky, Penn
sylvania, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New
Jersey.
Nine OF these states-Kansas. Illinois.
Texas, Indiana, Washington, North
Carolina. Iowa. Louisiana and Ollaho-
ma-make their request for a conven-
ton for the general purpose of submit
When a man or woman