The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-12-27
THE MAKING ~ SENATORS.



To THE EDIroR % THx srN-S~: Ths
critics OF tho present method OF slsctini
United States senator. say: Bring re-
\ sponsibility nearer TO the real source o
power Let the people elect tho Senators. and
| thus rid the upper chamber Of rich mon
undesirable citizens. and those who serve
the interests All the evils We complain
| Of will disappear under q system OF direct
| election. No ono questions tho honesty
or sincerity Of th~ss advocates. but IL may
| Be doubted 10 direct elections would make
| Of cannot he charged TO the present method
OF electinx Senators. the evils are not in
herent In the system.
The general ion thar accomplished tho
American Revolution had n genius for form
ing constitutions unedusled by any Rener-
alton before or since. The features Of the
State constitutions adopted in that day
have been retained With lutte change in sub
stanc. and have been copied since by every
new state
Among the measures submitted TO the
conventions thar framed the national Con
s'itntion mons Was discussed more freely
han that relating to the legislative branch
Of the Government. From the very begin
nine the idea Of two houses prevailed. but
he discussion in tho main was with respect
to the composition Of the senate Among
that they be elected by members OF the
lower house. that they be appointed by tho
Governors OF the several States. that they
Of the labors OF the convention was section
,. Article L.
Tn. senate Of the United state. shah be eorn-
Inc Legislature ihrrrof. for sil years. and each
senator shalt haSe one vote.
Constitution was dictated by Hamilton. who
racy and favored highly Centralized ays..
,o"s sny
In the discussion relating to the formation
e. on n's sy r.. sss Ros.1 ssf
Of the strongest sdherents TO the theory Of
was no dissrn-s Of the people by the areal
men who made the Constitution. they did
p pSs a hut the sh.s did ar. s OF
safeguards In the Constit ution which would
thought. For this reason they prescribed
Tor the senate perpetual existence ana
thew submifr ed their work TO the people.
themselves who were the authors of the
Constitution.
III. hang. an. proposed WOULD destroy ,, ,6s
take The power from the Legislature and
place " In the people. who would exercise
Il either through DELEGATES in a cow ention
Ge.' III would OF be phe ae.,rnction Of the
e,i,ia lity Of the States In the Senate
The charge that legislators are not to be
trusted to elect q Senator because they can
be corrupted 10 a serious charge indeed.
We are perfectly. willing TO allow such a
exercise the powers they poraeas with re-
gard to regulating the Use of our property.
make regulations with regard To marriage.
provide for tho education Of children.
teyy TAXATION and expand the money
An this We ar. perfec,iy willing 20 allow
election Of senators by snch a body on ac-
count Of iss incapacity. proneness to corr'ip-
rion and plain dishonesty
The proposed scheme Of popular election
rhey are inherent in human nature. and
legislation can never change human nature
such a change 10 not only UNNECESSARY but
dangerous. The provision in the Consti,u-
rion with respect TO the election Of Sena tor~
~ one NJ the rorner-tones Of the str,icture
Of the indiv idual States such q method OF
choice insurr- calm elaboration. the pSsr-
else Of conservative principles. and acts
g. cheek upon the spirit OF the mob. The
Senate for over hundred years has been
honorsd nv the presence 81 the most emi-
neni men Of every generation. and on the
whole 10 has performed its functions with
honesty. fidelity and devotion to the
country.
IL would he well for our people TO pause
Of disturbing the exact and solid balance 81
the powers and functions Of our national
Constitution. which has served us so well
and has received the praise and admiration
wAsHISGIo~. n c. December -