The Washington herald., 1911-01-20
Eloquent Plea for Primary
Made by IdahOan.
REPRESENTATION UNCHANGED
Crowded Galleries Hear Statesman
Give Eloquent Plea in Favor of
Amendment to Constitution-Cites
Lorimer Bribery Case n Argument
Against Legislative Elections.

hhCdtiOu a COuStltutlOndI 8menQment pro-
viding for the popular election of Sen.
ators. Senator Borah had a distinguished
audience on the floor and in the gallery,
and he was followed with intense inter-
est
The Senator from Idaho supplied the
necessary vote by which the subcom-
mittee of the Senate Committee on Ju-
dietary agreed to report the resolution
to the full committee. Joining with Sen
ator Rayner. Democrat, Of Maryland,
they overcame the vote OF Senator Dill
of Vermont, chairman Of the
subcommittee. Senator Borah was later
authorized by the Committee on Judi
ciary to report the resolution to the
Senate.
Among the visitors in the Senate gal
lery yesterday during Senator Borah's
speech were Judge and Mrs. E. H. Gary,
of New York. who occupied Vice Presi-
dent Sherman's row in the reserved gal
lery.
Representa- ton Not Changed.
Senator Borah spoke, in part, as fol-
lows:
THE question of whether representation
in the Senate should be in proportion to
population or equal as to all the States
was in no way affected or controlled by
the question as to the mode Of electing
Senators. Equal representation in the
Sc nate and proportional representation in
the House was one Of the great compro-
misses of the Constitution between the
large and the small States. This COM
promise was neither augmented nor re-
tarded. embarrassed or accelerated By
the question of the mode of electing Sem
atorS
Akin to this argument and to the same
effect is the argument that by chang
ing the mode or manner of electing Sena-
tors We will change the nature of the or
ganiZation of our government and of the
relation of the States to the Federal gov
ernment and Of the relation of the SEN
ators to the States. This broad and
proposition seems worthy of
What possible st-vcturA
,f our government will be affected by the
TACT that a Senator appears in this body
as result of the direct vote of the peo-
pie. rather than by the vote of an agent
selected by the people to cast that vote?
There are at least a dozen Senators
upon this floor who. as a practical fact,
were elected by the direct vote Of the
people. The people selected them and
elected them. The legislatures but record
ed the decree already rendered. Do they
stand in any different relation to their
States? Are they less regardful Of its
interests or hampered more in represent
ng it than those who were elected by
the legislatures? If the rights of these
States are invaded, are their Senators
ess sensitive to that fact? Does the cur
.ent of political power flow any better
oy flowing in a roundabout way through
1 legislature than when it flows directly
from the source of power to one who is
% exercise that power?
Favors Central Power.
I'VE need not fear to put a little de-
influence into our legisla-
ures or our government. 1t will not
~ any means neutralize the centralizing
influence which from day to day We
,lant. We need not fear o. apologize
or going back occasionally and connect
ng up the sources of political power di-
ectly with the people. Immediate, di-
ect. constant contact will not hurt US.
[ will prove wholesome even II 1t is
omewhat ancient and out of style. 1t
will by no means recompense the people
or the rights CT sovereignty stolen un-
Ter the constant asseveration of public
We have Travelled a rapid pace
ince the civil war. The dynasty Of the
'ureau was born shortly thereafter. 1t
las grown. to wonderful proportions. 1t
5 now arrogant and imperious. hungry
nd Unsuitable for power. 1t may be 4,
'ossible that there is a worse form OF
government than bureaucratic form or
government. but if there is, it has yet to |
e born, for it has never appeared upon
he face of the earth.
''In the last twenty years there have
cen a great many prolonged contests |
n State legislatures, which illustrate /
ne of the great evils Of the present sys- |
en-. The entire session of one legis- |
lture was occupied in the electing of !
Senator to the exclusion OF everything |
lss for which they we're called to-
etner.
Cites LOrimer Case.
prior to 1872 we had but one noted
ase of alleged election bribery con-
ected with a seat upon this floor. Since
rat time we have had ten, to say moth
IL Of a number of Investigations be-
pre- State legislatures, which never
cached this body. Take as an illustra-
on the matter now before the Senate
ct us look at it a moment aside from
ny question Of technical guilt and aside
'om any particular ones moral respon-
bility for what happened. but simply
9 an illustration of the vice Of the sys-
IN under which we now elect Senators.
there is any State where the system
light be fairly tested. it ought to be in
illinois.
illinois is one Of the great Common
'ealths Of this Union. Rich, marvellous
!, rich in natural wealth and strong in
ne splendid strain of citizenship which
,akes up her population. Within her
srritory is one of the most marvellous
ties in the world and on her bosom
eeps the ashes of the truest child Of
can and wholesome democracy ever
orn upon the earth. No Commonwealth
better fitted in tradition. in pride of
I her people to meet and discharge the
uties which properly pertain to the
tate.
yet her prominence now and during
le last year is not due to her great
ealth. her Industrial prowess. but to
lat scandal and shame which has been
lstened upon her by reason Of Sena.
rial election. The legislature met, spent
eeks and months in the vain effort to
ect. The whole body became demoral-
ed. Men bartered their honor like the
,urtesan of Babylon and at last per-
,rmed the task amid charges and coun-
.r-charges, ordinations and recrimiha-
ons, between the legislative members,
one Of the days when the
rong Of Cataline was the scepter OF pow
: At Rome.
Hits At Connittee.
"And now We are solemnly told by .
,mmittee Of this body that % shame
% and demoralized, criminsl and de-