The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-11
MR. ROOTS VIEWS.

MIR. ROOTS VIEWS.
Senator Root seems to have gone far aaeld in
discussing the amendment TO the Constitution
providing for direct election of members OF the
United States Senate by the people instead OF by
legislatures.
The sole question involved in the resolution is
whether the voters in the various States shall
have the right TO elect the men Of their choice or
leave the selections to legislatures which become
deadlocked for months, frequently choose COR
rupt politician instead of representative of the
people, and are not infrequently bribed and de-
bauohed with "jackpots"
Senator Depew, of New York, and Mr.. Root
have seen that the Southern senators favor the
resolution. Both have taken occasion to inject
the race question into the discussion purely for
the purpose Of frightening off Southern senators
and moi because of loyalty to the black man.
The people of the South have been given new
measure of MIR Root While not admirng him
for his allegiance to the corrupt Republican po-
iitieal machine In New York. and his servttHde
to the monopollstic infant industries of this coun
try before entering presidential cabinet, South
ern men have looked upon him broad-mind'
ed cear.visioned. and thoughtful statesman.
In his discussion of the resolution for senator
ial elections by the people. Mr.. Root has dragged
In peonage and lynching. and virtually charged
them to the Southern States. Neither has ever
! been sanctioned for instant by any Common
wealth south of the Mason and Dixon line. how
ever much they have been winked at in New
nj
Ii is difficult TO understand Mr. Roots cham
pionship OF the negro at this time at any other
time, since he has done nothing toward assisting
the black race to better itself nor pointed the
way for 1t to work ont its destiny.
Mr.. Root knows a great deal of constitutional
Law. He is well yersed in the operation of the
Federal government machinery. since he has held
number of high Offices in Washington He rev.
els In tho power vested in the Washington Office
holders, and has done all he could to further cen
tralze authority there.
OF State sovereignty Mr.. Root evidently re
fuses to know much. Although since the close
Of the War Between the States the Southern
Commonwealths have altered their Constitutions
and election laws 10 put the qualifications
30 high to prevent those unfit to enjoy the
right OF franchise from casting a majority OF
votes 1T has remained for Mr.. Root at this late
day TO say that such amendments not consti
tutional or legal To his mind the Southern
States are not competent TO conduct senatorial
elections in accordance with the provisions of the
Federal Constitution. and he believed it would
be misstep TO adopt the Borah resolution which
would give the States direct control over such
elections.
AR Roet "wotf}d have the wording OF the Consti
tuition remain as to continue to give Congress
supervision ever senatorial elections and make
them free and uThampered." He believes that
under the provisions of the Constitution at pre-
sent Congress can annu1 the grandfather
clauses and other voting qualifications imposed
by the Southern States. and is of the opinion that
the Federal Government should not surrender
this power of supervision because matters may
30 shape themselves In the Southern States as tc
make 1t necessary for Congress to take hand In
the senatorial elections and insure a square dea
for all classes. The power which Mr.. Root
wishes kept in Washington has been there since
the termination of the late unpleasantness. .
justification for its exercise has not been war.
ranted in the past, nor is it likely to be In the
future.
The New York statesman's view of the matter
liz that the southern States had better let the
present senatorial election laws stand as at pre-
sent than to place control over them in the Com.
monwealths and have Congress step in and see
that each and every man free and twenty-oae be
given opportunity 10 cast his vote.