The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-13
Senior Senator From Kansas
Voices His Opposition
To Proposed Amendments to the
U. s. Constitution.
FAVORs DIRECT VOTE
On the Election of Members of
Upper House.
But opposes CurtaiIment of the
Power of Congress.

washington, Feb. 13.-As "one of
the senators from Kansas" Senator
curtis today addressed the senate in
opposltion to the revised resolution
proposing to submit to the states a
constitutional amendment for the cleo
tlon OF senators by direct vote. All
through his speech he hurled attacks
at his colleague, Senator Bristow. for
approving of the amended resolution.
senator Curtis said he was in favor
oI d constitutional amendment looking
vote, but he was not Willing II sbouid
oe amended SO congress could give nm
al It's rights to make or alter the
regulatlons of a state for the election
OF United States senators.
Th1s he said was what the amended
resolution would provide The amend
eo resolution If its substance was an
proved by the states. would result in
tne state disfranchising negro voters.
II they so desired, without CONGRESS-
being able to raise a hand. he said
strongly favor the joint resolution
70 provioe Tor the election of senators
Dy a dlrect vote of the people," said
SENATOR curtis, but L do not think it
snould be burdened with the objection
able and unfair provisions placed in n
py majority of the COMMITTEES. and
as one of the senators from the state
OF Kansas, can not support the
@CA VI JOh0T QldCeQ IN tha TPGnI11-
ton by majority of the COMMITTEES
That Senator Bristow should CON
slider the amendment to the resolution
as immaterial was a matter of regret
with Senator Curtis. ''I regret verv
much" he said. of his Republiean
colleague, ito see the senator treat a
constitutional amendment SO ughtlv''
me negro people are entitled to
protection in their rights, and con-
gress should not directly or Indirectly
say it was willing to let the states take
away the right which came to them IS a
result of the Civil war" continued the
senator. After the war was over in
order to meet new conditions the con
stitution was amended, and the fif-
teenth amendment declares that the
right of citizens of the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged
blythe United States or by afv state
condition of servitude.'
This amendemnt was made to pro-
tect the former slaves who had been
freed, and yet we find state after state
by grandfather and other clauses de-
priving them of their rights OF course
there is no word in the acts referring
to race, color or previous condition of
servftude,' yet every one knows that
when state undertakes to keep a citi-
zen thereof from voting unless his
grandfather was a voter, the object is
to deprive the negro of his right of
franchise.
II the resolution as amended is
passed and the constitution is amend
ed as provided therein, then the con-
gress gives up all its rights to make
or alter the regulations of state for
the election of United States senator's
and if electors are disfranchised. IL
outrages are perpetrated, if fraud is
committed or If corrupt practices are
resorted to the congress remains help
1ess.''
Senator Bristow was an attentive
listener but made no reply to his COL
league.