Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-01-25
FOR POPULAR VOTE
TO PURGE SENATE.
Scandals OIL Upper House
We're Dragged Out.

Washington, d. c., January 24.-"ln
IA instances states have gone without
full representation in the senate be-
cause of deadlocks in the legislatures, y
Senator Borah, of Idaho, informed the
senate in supporting the resolution
providing for the popular election of
United States senators. in other in
stances" he added, bribery and cor
ruption and scandal have attached .
the sessions.
1T is not alone that direct and open
bribery sometimes prevail, but that
which is equally as bad more often pre-
vails-bills and measures are traded
up or killed; the public interest is sa>-
rificed or actually bartered away; pa
tronage and office enter into the deal,
and the whole affair becomes a dis
grace and is of itself sufficient con-
domination of the present system
The senator specifically cited the
contests in Pennsylvania in 1900; in
Maryland in 1904, and in Missouri.
Prior to 1872" he declared, I'VE had
but one case of alleged election bribery
connected with seat upon this floor.
Since that time we have had ten, to say
nothing of a number of investigations
before state legislatures, which nevel
reached this body"
Senator Borah referred to the pres
3nt senatorial investigation, the case
Of Senator Lorimer, of Illinois, as an
illustration of the vice of the system
lnder which we now elect senators.
He continued:
IF there is any state where the
present system might be fairly tested
it ought to be Illinois. No common
wealth is better fitted in tradition, in
pride of history, in the intelligence and
manhood of her people to meet and
discharge the duties which properly
belong to the state. Yet her promi-
nence now and during the last year
lis not due to her industrial proves
but to that scandal and shame which
has been fastened upon her by reason
of a senatorial election.
Men bartered their honor like the
courtezan of Babylon, and at last per
, formed the task amid charges and
counter charges, examinations and re.
ordinations, between legislative mem
bers, reminded one of the days when
the prong of Catalina was the sceptre
of power at Rome. And now we are
solemnly told by a committee of this
body that so shameless and democrat
lied, criminal and degraded were many
of the members of that legislature that
| they cannot be believed upon oath. Al
the present time the legislature OF that
great state, by reason of that election
is meeting under the eye and survil-
| ance Of a grand Jury
NO wonder that one of the old and
honored members of this body, vet
eran in unselfsh devotion to his coun-
try, said with reference to that cleo
ton, 81 have begun to despair Of the
republic"
Senator Clapp said that by making
the senatorial question an issue in leg
islative elections the people of the
country had already taken into their
hands the election of senators to as
great an extent as the constitution
would permit them.
If they get the chance no power on
earth can prevent them from adopt
ing the popular election system" he
said. THE impetus is absolutely re-
sistless, and why should the senate
seek to stem a tide so clearly in the
interest of popular goyernment?'