The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1910-05-17
ELECTION OF SENATORS.

States Senators should be lef
where the constitution placed it
with the legislatures, and who look
ed with misgivings upon the agita
ton to have senator's elected by
vote of the people. must ad nit that
the disclosures now being made il
Illinois are calculated to shake the
faith of the voters in the present
plan. Three Legislators have already
confessed that they were bribed to
the vote for Lorimer, now holding Q
seat in the Zig hest Legislative body
on earth. 1t is hard to imagine
that these three men would deliber-
ately lie when their testimony con-
signs them TO political luin and
probably to severe punishment.
Motives to Injure another are
rarely SO srong that their posses
ors would take themselves down in
jgnoniny with their victim, and the
country naturally believes that the
Illinois seat held by Lorimer was
bought and that cur institutions are
face to face with disgraceful ex-
hibitlon of the present sy stem's pos
sibilities. lone swallow does not
make spring." it is true; but there
turks in the popular mind the be-
lief that ':there are others. The
feeling will not down that too many
occupants of senatorial seats are in
debted to their money rather than
to their achievements and fidelity,
for their elections. Why should SO
many rich men be elected to the
Senate ? is question often asked
by the people here and by friends
of popular government the
world over. 1t is not sup
posed that every rich man in the
Senate has yulgarly and brutally
bought up the Legislative votes nec-
essary, as is charged against Lo RI
more But it is thought and be-
lieved that money has heen used in
the many devious ways known to
grafters for the purpose Of elevating
men to the Senate. Whether these
ways and means take the form Of
contributing to the Legislative can
dioates' expenses Of election, large
campaign contributions 10 commit
tees, substituting newspapers or di-
rect payments for legislative votes,
would be waste of time to inquire.
The people no longer allow the
special pleader to becloud the main
question which concerns them.
which is. :hat there is no good rea-
son why mediocre, who could not
while in moderate circumstances. be
elected to the legislature, should
when he becomes rich, break into
the United States Senate.
Therefore, right or WI ing, they
have about made up their minds
that they would prefer to vote for
United States Senators directly.
Why such an amendment to the
constitution has evaded so wide
spread demand, is one of the
things that is bard 20 understand.
Bot it will come in due season, and
the new plan will be tested. Mean
while, let it be remembered that
the democratic party is committed
to it by platform promises and while
1T cannot be formally carried out.
still the plan can be Appropriated
by means Of party nominations. AL
ready the Indiana democracy has
nominated a candidate for senator,
and, II the people endorse domocra-
cy, they know that there can not be
any disgraceful scenes or corrupt
bargaining when the legislature
meetg. The people Of INDIANA car
vote for Beveudge Or Kern, anC
one or the other will be elected
The democratic party of West
Nys.z-s.... =. =. - -. - i -.