New-York tribune., 1911-01-21
DIRECT ELECTIONS
Senators Differ on Supervisory
Power of Congress.
RAYNER STARTS THE DEBATE
Menace to Constitutional Amend
ment Seen in Question OF
Federal Control.
lrrnp, The Tribune Rursan ]

From Tho Tribune Bursaul
Washington. Jan. 2o-A division o. tne
Senate along radical and conservative hhcs
was indicated in to-days debate on 'ne
constitutional amendment providing ior
the popular election Of Senator'S "hi'h
was brought up in a speech by senator
Ravner Discussion centred upon the ques-
,ion Of whether or not Congress shan re-
tain supervisory power over the elections.
The charge that the resolution ahandoneo
all federal mower 10 the states In order To
obtain the support Of the Southern Demo
Gratis seemed 10 be substantiated by VI"
debate. Senator'S Bacon and Hayner con-
tended that this REIMBURSEMENT OF fehNraI
power was tho very life OF the amend
urent. and refused 10 consider me proposal
made bv Senator Brown. o. Nebraska 70
submit the question NJ direct vote 10 the
state legislatures first, and leave the qu"s
ton OF federal supervision until later. lhe
singular feature Of the discussion was tnat
slI the Senator's who took part are ~ IA
vor OF direct elections.
Senator Sutherland was the cher adVo-
cato of the retention Of supervisory power
by Congress over the elections. Much or
the debate was discussion Of one phase
or another ~ the problem OF state rights
The Senator is still an ambassador OF
the state" said Senator Sutherland IN
support Of his amendment. but he Is as
we'll a Senator of the United States and
n seems to me 20 be an anomaly that
Congress should have no supervisory pow
or over the election Of the members Of us
higher branch
Senator Brown asserted that the effort
10 give the states entire control over the
elections would endanger the adoption OF
the amendment by many Of the legisla-
lures.
Senator Rayner's Speech
Senator Rayn.r said he world vot" for
the resolution in obedience 10 the demand
NJ The people. even If he were not favor
ab,e 70 the proposition himself. Sull. he
declared himself earnestly and sincerely
for the amendment" and would advocate
q with all his strength before The people
OF his state.
"While.' he said, Il am opposed 70
amending the Constitution. except when
the public sentiment Of the country de-
~, 4
the slightest degree by popular passion or
cIamor. his great reform. In my opinion
must no longer be thwarted or impeded
Reading every utterance OF the convention
that framed the Constitution, so far as the
same has been recorded, | never can
acouiesce in the doctrine that Senator
represents his state in political capacity
IN any greater degree than he does the peo-
pie Of the state that he represents.
'The provision that no state shall be de-
prived OF ts equal suffrage in the Senate
cannot he amended without the consent of
the state II the election by the Legis-
lat,Ire was deemed by the convention 10
have been Of such great significance why
did not the convention make that clause
OF the Constitution unamendable without
the consent OF the state? The equality or
representation vas made unamendable be-
cause. with jealous vigilance. the men who
framed the Constitution intended 10 pro-
tect the sovereign rights of sovereign
states, and therefore they planted this
clause I'm the body Of the instrument in
delib!e, perhaps. TO all eternity.
Had they failed 10 make the Constitu-
ton subject TO amendment, perhaps It could
not have been amended al all, except at
the risk OF revolution There is revolu-
ton on hand now, Mr.. President. II Is a
peaceful revolution. II Is revolution Ot
the majority OF tho American people
against the political domination Of the
minority"
Mr.. Rayner made An especial plea 10
Senators not to load down the resolution
with amendments which would insure its
a. .ata NO
render 10 Congress their right Of control in
elections
Question OF Federal Control.
When in the course OF his remarks Mr.
Rayner attacked the Sutherland amend
ment giving Congress power to control
the time and manner OF electing Senators,
Mr.. Sutherland was pressed to say whether
he would vote for the resolution without
his amendment Replying in the affirma-
tive, he attempted to turn the tables by
asking Mr. Rayner whether he would vote
for the resolution II the amendment should
he accepted. The MARYLAND Senator re-
fused 10 commit himself on that point.
Urging his own amendment. Mr.. Suther-
land said Il was marvellous how the Mary
land Senator could be so thoroughly right
on the main proposition and so utterly
wrong on the incidentals" Mr. Sutherland
did not consider II desirable Ia deprive
Congress Of a function it exercised in the
case Of election Of Representatives while II
exercises Il in the other He argued there
should he Uniformity and Repre-
sentatives both being subjected 70 the same
control
Senator Burton continued his argument
against the postal subvention bill and was
followed by Senator Cummins. who de-
cared the principle unsOund. Senator
Newlands introduced an amendment 70 the
bill, authorizing the Secretary OF the Navy
TO construct thirty auxiliary cruisers OF
siyty-ive hundred tons each, not exceed
ing in aggregate cost 100000.
Nj Burton asserted that not per cent
of the shipping Of Great Britain is sub
sidized and added that the aggregate OF
subventions in that country is nothing like
AZ great as Is contemplated in this bill
Mr.. Gallinger challenged the statement.
saying that. while moro than 100000 a
wear Is paid out Of the British treasury in
aid II British shipping. not more than s2,-
,CcO possibly could be paid ont under his
bill.