The Washington herald., 1910-11-23
Popular Election of Senators.

One OF the concrete questions to come
before the House OF Governors. which is
TO be in session at Frankfort. KY. from
November % 10 December s. is the popular
election of United States Senators, "A
question on which it is hoped TO get such
unanimous approval that an attempt will
be made TO secure a constitutional con-
vention, where the Constitution may be
amended so as to make this possible.
There can be little doubt. in view OF
the figures gathered, that the people de-
sire the popular election Of United States
Senators. and it is almost equally clear
that they cannot hope 20 secure this end
through the initiative OF Congress. for
although the House OF Representatives
has several times voted in favor Of the
plan, first in 1894, again in 1898. 1900. and
1902 on which last occasion the House
was unanimous. the Senate has failed or
refused 10 vote on the resolution after il
has reached that body II is equally
clear that working on the problem as
separate States, the people must fail, as
they have failed n the past; the only
hope for success IS through concerted
action. such as may be decided upon at
the coming meeting OF the House of
Governors.
Some Of the Individual States have
been working for the popular election OF
United States Senators for over fifteen
years. Twenty-nine legislatures have pass
ed resolutions and applications 10 Con-
gress The remaining seventeen States
have, all but two, expressed their SYM
pathy with the movement. either by d.
rectly nominating Senators under the law.
by directly advising their legislatures, by
plank in the platform OF either the
Republican or the Democratic party for
the year 1910. or by nominating by party
submission. The only two States that
have not expressed themselves in any
way are Delaware and West Virginia.
To-day there are thirty States that are
nominating or have the power to nomi-
nate Senators This year no less than
twenty-six Democratic states and ten
Republican states included planks in
their platforms calling for popular cleo
ton Of Senators.
The arguments in favor OF this move
ment are unanswerable 1t has been
shown that under this system the Senate
would be more consistent and effective
political institution; it would improve the
tone of the Senate; make the Senate re-
sponsihle to the people. and not to the
bosses; would lessen the influence OF
wealth upon the Senate: would tend tC
divorce national from state and Ioca
politics; would improve the State legisla.
lures, and would elevate the tone Of stat,
and municipal politics
No element of partisanship enters int
this proposed reform. As President Tai
said in his speech accepting the Repub-
lean nomination:
with respect to the election of Sena
tors by the people. personally. I am in
clined 10 favor IL, but ii Is hardly a part,
question. A resolution in IT'S favor has
passed Republican House OF Represent
atiVes several times. and has been re
Jected In a Republican Senate by tn,
votes OF Senators from both parties.
has been approved by the legislatures o
many Republican States. In a number o
States both Democratic and Republican
substantially such a system now pre-
walls"
1t is plain that the several members o
the House of Governors are going q
work hard to secure the necessary con
stitutional amendment IN order TO pu
this reform for the people In force