The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-17
DIRECT ELECTION
 IS THREATENED Negro Vote Aroused Over Southerland Amendment SERIOUS SITUATION Feared That House Will Refuse Bill As Senate Passes It
 and Serious Complication
 Will Result
SERIOUS SITUATION


 Washington. May Especial )-Pop- ular election of senators has suddenly been confronted by a new situation, which may yet bring it's defeat in the very session that was confidently count ed on to place it before the states
 The situation has become so dangerous that It's friends are making determined efforts to straighten affairs, and the more they try, the more serious they discover Is the situation.
 Last session a resolution to amend the constitution passed the House and bare- ly failed In the Senate. Now it is up to the Senate and the substance of the Sutherland amendment Is certain to be attacked. This Is the amendment giving the federal government general super visory authority over elections of sem ators in the states. It is regarded by the southern members as the menace of force bill, taking control of elections, at some time in the future. It is highly objectionable to them, and always has been made the excuse for some demo- crats. assuming that they favor direct elections, voting against the proposition after this amendment was fixed
 Now comes a new situation. The ne- gro vote in the north has been aroused. The northern negroes want substance of the Sutherland amendment adopted. They are being organized all over the north and are making vigorous de- mands Their strength Is so great In New York, for instance, they have given ] other republican leaders.
 The same Is true in middle western states, in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and other sections. As a result, 1t Is cer- tain that this amendment will be at tached by a sweeping vote In the Sen ate. Senators Borah and LaFollette will stand almost alone among republicans in opposition to it. The democrats will practically all vote against 1t.
 The expectation is that the resolu- tion will pass the Senate though this amendment be attached. But the rub will come in the House. The southern House members are greatly concerned about it. They do not want such an amendment. The northern House mem bers, like their senators, have been hearing from the negro voters, and they are in sad stew over it.
 Out of all these complications there are fears that the measure may be jockeyed to defeat. The House is very | likely to cut out the federal control proposition inserted by the Senate; ir fact, it is regarded as certain to do so
 This will not seriously injure the chance of the measure passing tn, House, rather win increase it. Bu l when II comes to the Senate and tt | conference, there may be a sharp diff. l ference, possibly irreconcilable between the diametrically opposing views of z democratic House. opposed to fedora control, and republican Senate favor | ing federal control
 1 To make the matter worse the matter is now practically a party one in the Senate. number of repubicans-insur- gents-who last session voted against the Southerland amendment are now for it | because of pressure from home There are several democratic senators who voted on occasion for popular elections who none the less do not like the idea. and only vote for it because it is good for their political health. Those would be glad enough to find a pretext to vote against it. and this is just what causes the fear of complications over the federal control proposal