The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-17

2
for the military arm Of the service
there are all too few. There is DO ap
parent reason for this situation. som,
suggest as a reason that the navy !
practically composed of Anna poll
mon. 50 far as officers go. while in tn.
army only two-fifths OF the officers ar,
West Pointers.
DIRECT ELECTIONS OF SENATORS
The Bristow amendment to the bill
providing for the election Of United
States Senator'S by direct vote of The
people seems to have played the mis-
chief with that particular paramount
issue Senator Fletcher, OF Florida
made speech on Thursday that con
tanned a good deal of common sense
and political wisdom of a sort that the
people of the South particularly should
be able to understand In view of the
experiences we have had in this part OF
the country with Federal interference
in the affairs OF the States. Senator
Fletcher is in favor of the election of
Senators by popular vote. and believes
that the people have the right to say
who shall serve them in the United
States Senate; but he hopes. If tile
measure loaded with the Bristow Joker
shall be agreed to by the House, the
Legislatures of the Southern states at
least will reject the amendment. Civ
ing the Federal Government authority
to say when, where and In what man
ner" the elections for Senator'S shall be
held. Senator Fletcher looks to the
time two years hence when both
branches of Congress being Democratic.
1t Will be possible to safeguard the
States in the election OF their Senator'S
from Federal supervision of the sort
that is provided for in the amendment
OF the Senator from kansas 1t does
not matter how the proposed
amendment is killed. so that it is kill
ed. That it ought to be killed We
have not the slightest doubt; not be
cause of any special dread of Federal
interference, but becaused the proposed
amendment provides for change in
the character of our Government, and
a change which should be resisted by
all thoughtful and responsible citi-
zens without regard to party divisions
or sectional lines
In Florida, as Senator Fletcher said.
and in several other Southern states.
United States Senators are now chosen,
in sense, by popular vote that is to
say. Senator Fletcher himself and
other Senators from the South were
selected by sort of popular election.
not under the general laws. it is
trYe, but under the rules laid down by
the dominant political party In this
region of country for the control Of
the primary elections Of the party. The
case might be entirely different Ii the
Federal Government should be reouir-
cd TO manage these elections SO that
the Will of the people S expressed at
the Democratic primary. would not
have the least influence upon the re-
suit of the Senatorial elections gov
erned BY Federal ohicers acting under
Federal direction
Our objection to the direct election
suites SENATORS Is that there
Is no occasion for it. 1t would make a
complete change in the safe method
provided by the Constitution a methoa
which has prevailed since the founda
ton OF the Government 1t would be
OF disadvantage TO the people 1t would
encourage the further extension OF
cheap and cheating methods in our
politics. II would result in the promo
ton of the demagogue, but the distress
OF the State. and it would place in the
hands OF the Administration at Wash
ingron powerful weapon for placing
further limitations upon the liberty of
the people. Senator Fletcher is she
commended for his opposition TO the
measure not on the ground a stated
by him SO much as on the ground that
the proposed change is revolutionary
and wholly without the rule of rea-
son.