The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1911-02-09
LODGE STRIKES
At DIRECT VOTE
Says Amendment Violates Plans
Of Constitution Trainers.
HE BLAMEs "NEW PROPHETS
Declares Proposed Change Of Election
Of Senators Strikes at Very
Found alton Of National
Government.

Washington, Feb. 7.-Resistance to
the uttermost to the attempts to trans
fer from congress to the various state
legislatures the control of the time
and manner OF electing United States
senators. as proposed by the resolu-
ton providing for their election by d.
rect vote of the people, was advocated
by Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, in
a speech in the senate. ..a.
Mr.. Lodge was speaking In opposi-
ton to the proposed amendment to
the constitution as whole, but found
an especial mark in the portion plac-
ing the direct management of senate
rial elections in the legislatures. f..
Declaring that the proposed change
In that respect STRIKES at the very
foundation of the national govern
ment," Mr.. Lodge said that the amend,
ment violates the plans Of the trainers
of the constitution.
State Needs Strength Now.
at is amazing that it should be sug
gested at time like this. when the
government is of necessity taking up
new duties and new obligations, as
demanded by the conditions of the
time; at a moment when the govern
ment requires all it's strength. And
yet it is proposed here to weaken it.
to take from It the one power which
In the time of stress VII assure its
existence" said the senator TOO
much has already been sacrificed to
preserve the union of the states to
permit any tampering with those
clauses which guard its very life"
The Massachusetts senator contend
ed for the maintenance of the consti-
tuition in it's integrity. ut has" he
said. shown itself capable OF adap-
tation to the new demands as it has
adapted itself to those of the past. and
I have hoped and believed that the
new policies and the necessary re-
forms which the people desire could
all be brought about as they have
hitherto been accomplished under the
constitution.
New Prophets Have Arisen.
New prophets have arisen. how
ever, who are not content witt the re-
forms which have been and which will
be effected by law. and they demand
that the constitution itself be changed
It's success in the past, which has
challenged the admiration of the
world. is not to be considered as any
plea in its behalf"
That there Is a menace of control
of the state legislatures by corrupt
means Mr.. Lodge denied. ANY dan
ger OF the moneyed interests getting
even partial control of the govern
men or acquiring undue political in
fiuence has been brought to an end
in the last ten years." he said.
Scores Arizona Amendment.
Just now the financial, business
and corporate interests of the coun-
try seem far more concerned in trying
to find out whether they are to be al
lowed to live and breathe than in
seeking to control anybody in politics
or out of politics"
Incidentally the speaker paid his
respects to the portion of the Arizona
constitution providing for the recall
of Judges" which he pronounced a
fragrant interference with the liberty
of the bench.
Closing his address with an appeal
for the preservation of the constitu-
ton. Mr. Lodge said: We shall do
well to hesitate before we mar a con.
stitution crowned by the triumphs of
century and to which the sad word
failure Is still a stranger"
Appeal by Progressive League.
An appeal to the country, to assist
in compelling the adoption of the res
olution providing for the election of
senators by direct vote of the people,
has just been issued by the executive
committee of the National Progressive
Republican league. Declaring that to
insure the necessary two-thirds vote
of the senate every available vote
must be mustered, the appeal says:
The direct election of United
States senators is one of the most i'm.
pcTtant reforms before the American
people. Its friends throughout the
country should urge their senators to
support It, The time Is short and &C.
ton by every citizen interested in this
reform Is important. The National
Progressive Republican league hopes
that its friends in this movement will
wire or write their senator's imme-
diately."
The appeal Is signed by Senator
Bourne. as president of the league.
80. - Ni.,.r p.s.~.Ai-