The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1910-12-29
BY Ernest G. Walker.
(MaiI Special to The Advertiser

(Mail Special to The Advertiser)
WASHINGTON. December 15.-The
senate 5 alacrity il catching up with
the public and aligning itself along
with the so-called popular government
ideas may become one Of the notable
features of this congressional session
Something new is happening almost
every day in that line. First came
a declaration, the sincerity of which
has vet to be tested. that looked to-
ward the creation of a real tariff com
mission. Now there are appearances of
senate backing for a constitutional
amendment to permit of popular elec-
tion of senators. The champions of
other progressive measures, worn out
by hard and almost hopeless campaign
ing at the capitol through many years,
are taking note and will press for ad
vantage.
1t IS altogether too early to prophesy
that such laws will be enacted forth
with. Developments day by day, how
ever, encourage that view. The old
senators are fond Of asserting, that
even though the senate be a conserva
tive body. it does not hesitate to ad-
vance when convinced that it is moving
in the direction Of settled public opin-
ion. OF feverish public agitations SEN
ators, especially those who have most
of six years term ahead, entertain
contempt. But when an issue has run
the gamut of prolonged discussion and
repeatedly endured the test of votes,
senators of all parties have profound
regard for IT,
Popular Elections.
That seems to be the status of the
popular election-of-se issue. The
Bristow bill is said now to have a
majority Of the judiciary committee in
its favor That means a favorable re-
port to the senate Of resolution for
an amendment to the constitution. So
many senators from the South and
West are now chosen by primary that
it would not be surprising if such
proposed amendment could command
majority.
In some form such a measure has
passed the house time and again. 1t
once passed the senate under the cham
pionship Of the late Senator Turpie of
Indiana. Presumably, if the senate acts
favOrably very soon, there will be little
difficulty getting a vote in the house.
A two-thirds vote by the senate and
also by the house is required to propose
such an amendment and the approval
of the legislatures of three fourths of
the States is necessary for ratification.
Present Congress Broke Ice
The first session of the present, or
slxty-trst congress, proposed one CON
stitutional amendment-thatf for an in
come tax. 1t was the first proposal
of the kind in nearly half century.
The ratification of the amendment is
now expected, although it was origin
ally believed that the strongly Repub-
lican and conservative legislatures of
the middle Atlantic and New England
states would prevent its ratification.
The fact that the Democrats have cap
tured several legislatures in that terri
tory is calculated to give the income
tax amendment advantage.
IF the senatorial amendment is to be
proposed this winter, it will be done
before March 4. in time for action by
many State legislatures. Its prompt
ratification in the South would be a
1OTtpbHe COHcluslOu, as utdIlN all Stld-
tors south of the Potomac and Ohio
rivers have to win their seats under
the primary system. The three Pacific
Coast States all have form of sena-
torial primary, as have Nebraska,
Nevada. the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas,
Wisconsin and a goodly proportion of
the States in the upper Mississippi
Valley.
As this is the biennial period when
all except half a dozen State legisla-
lures assemble, the time is especially
propitious for trying out proposed
amendments that congress may favor.
The fact that the Democratic national
platform as well as many State plat
forms, declare for popular elections
of senators and that the Democrats
will be so generally in control of State
governments after January l enhances
prospects Of ratification. Republican
senators, of course, are not unaware
of that condition in favoring the sub