The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-09
BRISTOW RAPS IT.
AntagOniZes Position Of Lodge
on Corporation Influence.
Supports Plan for Direct Vote
of People on Senator.
KANSAN ASKS, "HOW?'
Desires to Know Why Massa-
chusetts SOlOn Has Objection.
Holds Corporations Responsible
for DeadlOcks in Voting,

Washington, Feb. 9.-SharpIy an
tagonizing the position of Senator
Lodge on the use of corporation inf1u-
ence in politics, Mr.. Bristow (Kan.)
today addressed the senate in support
of the resolution providing for an
amendment to the constitution per-
mitting the election of United States
senators by direct vote of the people.
''How," he asked, t-can the dfstfn-
guished senator entertain such a delu
sion when at this very hour there are
in several states deadlocks in pending
senatorial elections, caused solely by
the persistent determination Of certain
powerful financial interests to control
the election Of senators from those
states?''
Mr.. Bristow asserted further that
the great financial systems have ac-
quired too much power in the govern
ment of the United States with the
result that they had used their power
the general public He added:
UNLESS change is made, not only
in the method of elect:ng senators,
but also in the manner of selecting
delegates to the national conventions,
the rising tide of unrest and dissatis-
faction that prevails throughout the
country will rapidly increase. Men
will not become less greedy for wealth
and power. The great financial inter
ests will not abate their efforts to con-
troll, not only the business, but the
politics of the country"
Mr.. Bristow was not afraid of the
effect of giving too much power to the
people. 'I do not believe it, he ex-
claimed. ''I am not afraid of the mob.
The American people are not con-
trolled by passion or prejudice. They
are conservative and cautious; do not
welcome change; and cling to prece-
dent. You place in their hands great
power and they will exercise it with
deliberation and care
Election of Delegates.
In support of the selection of dele
gates to the national conventions by
vote of the people, the. Kansas sena-
tor said:
'It has become customary for ma
tional conventions to be made up of
many federal off1ceholders who want
to perpetuate themselves in official
power, or to be composed of ambitious
men who hope to secure the federal
offices. In addition to these two
classes. there are several command
ing delegates who represent the pow
erful financial and commercial insti
tutions of the country and who are
there to look after the interests of
such institutions.
ing great transportation and Industrial
companies seek to control the state
and national conventions of both of
the great political parties and if they
succeed it was little difference to them
how the election goes or which side
wins. Their representatives contribute
generously to both campaign commit
tees, and because of such contrfbu
tiOns expect to secure certain appoint
ments and also to control the legisla
ton in which they are concerned"
The speaker found in the possibility
Of IIr1fi
argument in support of the resolutions.
Such conditions had in the last 20
years resulted in IA vacancies in the
senate.
Frequently" he went on, shocking
scandal and flagrant bribery are the
fruitage of these controversies. Cor
ruption and bribery in senatorial cleo
tions have become more prevalent as
the commercial interests of the coun-
try have grown.
sThe story of the Illinois election
that has resulted in the investigation
now before this body is shocking the
sense of decency of every senator
here yet it is but sample of the leg
islative debauchery that has taken
place in recent years in numerous sem
atorial elections. In the last 40 years
the senate has had under considera-
tion Is cases where corruption was
charged in the election of senators,
while in the preceding "a years of our
history there had been but one such
case.
This plainly demonstrates that the
system adopted by the trainers of the
constitution worked well until radical
changes occurred in our Industrial and
commercial life, but that under present
conditions it is breaking down and cor
ruption is growing. That this corrup-
tion is increasing as the commercial
spirit of the nation grows. no man can
deny / state therefore, without hesita-
tion that the integrity of our political
institutions demand a. change in the
method of electing senator's
Mr. Bristow closed by expressing the
hope that the resolution would be
adopted, $50 that hereafter every sen-
ator will come here with commission
direct from the constituency that he is