The Detroit times., 1911-04-13
TELLS DEMOCRATS
ELECTION REFORMS
MUST COME
Rep. Sims Says Only in Interest OF
Harmony Does He Refrain From
Offering Recall Amendment To
Direct Election Bill.
Rep. Young, of Michigan, Tres 10
Halt Immediate Action on
Measure.

WASHINGTON, April 13.-ln Wig
orous suppori OF the principle OF the
recau OF public officers, Represents
tive Sims tRepn., Tenn, declared III
tha house that only in the interest
of Democratic harmony did he reIraih
rom Offering recall amendment 10
tho hin for direct election OF senator's
then pending. 1901,
sims made an impassionate speech
Cor the Initiative. referendum and re-
coll warning the Democratic leaders
that the time would come when they
would have TO accept these prihciplea
"The people should have the pow
err" he shouted, 10 DISMISS 'heii
agent whenever 1t appears ne Is hoe
properly representing them or serving
their interests!
There were a number OF supporters
for the Sims plan on the Democratlc
side. Burleson, OF Texas, being pronf
inent among them.
After the house had convened 10,
Gay, Rep. Rucker tDem., MOI caneu
up the Joint resolution providing i"I
a constitutional amendment 10 erect
United States senators by direct Vote
cf the people The Democratic mouse
then began It's first real leSsslatlNS
work. IL was learned that NUMBER
of progressive Democrats we're quletiy
canyassing their colleagues TO secure
support OF an amendment TO be Oh
fered fer the recall of senator's
Minority Leader Mann asked tnat
tie bill 20 over for lew days hep'
Young tRep. MichD. complained nit-
tcrIv NJ ,he haste with which the
measure was sought 10 be passed. lie
became involved In yociferous sass-
ore.ot.arms with Rucker, who was III
charge OF the bill.
II was finally agreed TO permit four
hours general debate TO be equaiiy III
yided between Chairman Rucker ana
Young.
"This measure" Rucker said. lis In
. response TO sentiment wnich per
Ineates the country from the Atlahtic
10 the Pacific. | believe II shoulu De
PASSED unanimously
Young said he favored the genera
principle OF direct election, but ne
voiced opposition TO the plan TO grant
he states power to control their sen
atorial elections He offered the fam-
3us amendment presented in the sen
ate last session, by Senator Suthers
land (Repn., Utah) TO leave with con
aress. the power TO prescribe the time
and manner of holding elections.
Young said that IL the bill passe1
with the provisions leaving the con-
troll OF the elections with the states,
the will of the people would De de
feated because of corrupt legislators.
shake not your CORY locks at us,
said Representative Slayden tDem.,
La). I'VE haven't any corrupt legis-
latures in the south.
At the first full meeting OF the new
ways and means committee, the "a
madam reciprocity agreement and the
hin for farmers free list were
fayorably reported. II is the present
intention OF The leaders TO begin gen
eral debate on the reciprocity pact to-
morrow.
Chairman Underwood formally re-
ported the reciprocity bill immedl-
ately after the house met. His state
ment that the committee had favor
ably acted upon the measure was re-
ceived with applause on both sides OF
the chamber.
Although there was no vote on the
bills in the ways and means commit
tee, Reps. Dalzell (Rep, Pa.), and
Fordney (Rep.. MichD. both asked 10
be recorded against the measure.
They we're granted leave to file
minority report.