New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-23
AGAINST DIRECT VOTE
Minority of Judiciary Committee
on Popular Election Of Senators.
ROOT OPPOSES AMENDMENT
Saws Abuses Which Have Led to
It's Proposal Can Be Cured
by Simple Legislation.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, May q The views OF n
minority OF the members Of the Commute
on Judiciary opposed TO the House resolu
ton providing for the direct election o
senators in the form in which IT was re
ported 10 the Senate We're presented to-da'
by Senator Sutherland.
The report, signed by Senators Root
Clark. Nelson. Dillingham;. Brandegee an'
Sutherland formUates objections 70 tH
proposed amendment in so far as II taxes
from, Congress all supervisory power over
The times, places and manner oil hoIoinl
the elections. and makes the state supreme
in this respect.
IN Z supplenentary report Senators ROOF
Rrandegee and Dillingham; declare OPPOSE
ton 10 the entire amendment expressing
the opinion that the change would be IN
furious rather than beneficial and that the
abuses which have led 10 the proposal OF
the amendment can be obviated by simple
act OF legislation without any amendment
10 the Constitution
II is probable that the view Of the minor
ftv Of the Committee on judiciary VIII pre-
vail in the Senate, and that the resolution
will be modified by the adoption OF the
sutherland amendment. which, in effect
eliminates the question Of the times man
ner and places OF holding the elections ana
confines the proposed change simply TO the
method Of electing Senators. In this FORM
the resolution will probably pass the Sen
ate. but its fate in conference Is problem
atical.
The minority report ignores the question Of
direct elections and deals entirely with that
OF supervision, which is declared 10 be the
more important feature of the House cleo
ton resolution which is now before the
Senate on a report from the majority of
the Judiciary Committee.
The subject is presented from many
points Of view. but is fairly summarized in
the first exception. in which II is contended
that there is no reason why the ultimate
authority Of the national government over
the times and manner Of electing Senators
by direct popular vote should not continue
10 be exercised Just as u always has been
exercised over the direct election of repre-
sentatives by popular vote.
The exercise Of that national power over
the popular election Of Representative s
meets now u Is argued, WIN No ODlSC-
ton. and, under the proposed amendment,
IS 10 continue. The proposed change from,
legislative election OF Senators T. popular
election Of Senators furnishes no reason
whatever for destroying the ultimate power
OF control over the election Of Senators
which the national Congress now has un-
Ger the Constitution
Contention also is made that possession
OF the power which IT Is proposed 70 strike
out is essential 10 enable the national gov
eminent 10 act effectively in case q should
ever have occasion to enforce the provisions
OF the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amend
ments 10 the Constitution.
THE basis Of any enforcement Of these
provisions must necessarily be the ascer-
tainment and establishment Of the fact,
in respect OF the elections 70 which the,
may relate" saws the report. The pro
posed amendment, if adopted. would b
the latest expression Of the sovereign vii
o. the people of the United states. anr
would take away from the national eov
ornment authority u max those regula
tons REGARDING elections which are essen
tial 10 the preservation Of evidence regard
ing what actually occurs"