The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-02-24
President Browne on
Governmental Questions
CONTINUED from Page six.9


power and influence Of the states in
the federal government.
Mr.. Wilson of Pennsylvania, said:
1.-THE difference between electing
senators by the legislature and by the
people direct was Immense, in that the
former magnifed, and the latter min
imized the influence Of the states In
the general government"
Mr.. Hamilton said that:
The election of senators by the
state legislatures would increase that
state influence. which could not be too
watchfully guarded against" And that
by electing them by the people direct.
''the state governments might gradual.
iy dwindle into nothing"
Both sides in that great contest
knew what those who are today advo-
eating the election Of senators by d.
rect vote of the people fail to see, that
the election Of senators by the legisla-'
ture was essential to the preservation
of the states as integral parts Of the
government. The absolutists led by
Hamilton favored their direct election,
while the states rights party insisted
on their election or appointment by
the states. The latter won, and as d
result the senate was created in which
every state had limited and equal rep
resentation, the members to be elected
by legislatures composed of representa-
tives elected by the people. A senate
SO composed would stand between the
occasional radicalism Of the people
and the centralizing tendency Of the
general government.
In all governments there should be
some Intervening power between the
people and the central power, capable
of protecting the people from central
ization and deEpotism.
This power may be lodged in a par
Lament with it's counterbalancing safe
guard of house of lords, or it may be
lodged in the barons of feudal days, or
In the Appanages of France, but it
must be lodged somewhere. The foun-
ders of our government lodged it in
the senate. The states were to deal
with the people directly, who were 20
owe their allegiance to the states;
which were to be the custodians Of the
liberties Of the people and safeguard
them from the aggressions Of central
lied power in the federal government.
With the election of senators by di-
rect vote, this fabric will be destroyed.
and we will continue on the way of all
the great republics Of ancient times.
When the constitutional convention
was about to adjourn sine die, DR..
Franklin, referring to q painting which
was back Of the presidents chair which
showed a sun on the horizon, said that
painters had found 1t difficult to dis
tinguish In their art rising from a
setting sun.
The student of political affairs now
finds it difficult to distinguish whether
the sun of our political liberties is
rising or setting. Will this new ma
tionalism confirm and strengthen the
liberties Of the people by SWALLOWING
up the states" or will their liberties
perish in the absolutism which is fast
being established on the remains OF
constitutional government
We are painting the canvas. but who
can say If federal control Of railroads
federal income tax, the election Of
senators by direct vote of the people
which are just appearing on the CAN
vas, are the rising. or the setting sur
Of our liberties?