The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-02-17
ADVANTAGES
Of The Enactment OF The
II StOCkWell Bill
For The Election Of United
States Senators
Would Compel Candidates To
Submit To Scrutiny
And Enable Voters To Select
One Best Fitted
Very Little Opposition Now
To The Measure

Columbus, o., Feb. 14-Governor
Harmon, in advocating the Stockwell
bill for the election of United States
senators, is making a fight to preserve
the purity of the ballot, and to estab-
lish Ohio the principle that nowhere
shall dishonest vote or a dishonest
count be tolerated. It has been stat
ed that Governor Harmon would en-
ter the Democratic caucus on the
StoclSwell bill, but the Executive new
er said this because he does not deem
such action necessary as Democratic
senators will do their duty toward full
filling the party platform pledges.
In other states bills for the direct
election of senators, have been en-
acted to prevent the corruption OF leg
islatures, and particularly to prevent
their corruption in connection with
the election of senators, for they, un-
der the new system of eiecting, have
nothing more to do with such matters.
Such agitation as followed the cleo
tion of Senator William Lorimer, OF
Illinois, now before the United States
senate, would not be possible under a
plan of electing senators by direct
vote Of the people.
One of the most gratifying things
in connection with the recent cleo
tion of Atlee Pomerene, as United
States senator, by the Democratic
general assembly, was the fact that
not even a suspicion Of fraud or cor
ruption was present during the excit-
ing senatorial campaign or election.
But the same Is not true Of past sena-
torial elections. There were ugly ru-
mors during the famous Hanna-Mc.
Kisson fight several years ago. Gov
ernor Harmon Is fighting for the
Stockwell bill, becausefit will strike
a smashing blow at election bribery
and corruption.
II would prevent disturbance and
turmoil in state legislatures. 1t would
compel candidates to subject them
selves to the severe scrutiny of cam
paign before the people. whose suf.
frages they might seek, and tend to-
ward the selection of men best fitted
for the important office. IL would pre-
vent legislative deadIochs due to the
contest among rival candidates., such
as in Delaware, where during the ef
forts of Gas" Addiclts to get to the
senate, the state was without repre-
Rentation in the United States senate
Tor two sessions
Last week the chances Of the Stock
well bin passing the senate, unamend
sd were not so good II had been in
definitely postponed by u committee
Members of the committee absolutely
refused to permit the bill TO reacl
the senate floor. Opponents appeared
10 have sufficient strength to defea
an effort to take the bill from tn,
committee. Compromise was prom
ised and a caucus of senate Demo
'crats called to make II effective. Sena
tors Green, Dore, Cetone, StoclSwel
and Hudson were appointed sub
committee TO draft a substitute
majority Of the committee favored
primary on election day and wa
against binding legislators to vote 70
a senatorial candidate of an opposit
political party provided that cand
date received the majority vote. Or
ponents OF the Stockweil bill believe
the legislature would be fulfilling tn
platform pledge by providing for
senatorial primary, aud binding Dem,
cratic and Republican legislators [
vote for the party's popular choice.
But Governor Harmon decided TIL
did not 20 far enough Under such
bill the will OF the people could 1
thwarted If the majority In the ge
eral assembly should not be of I'll
political party as the senatorial ca
didate receiving the majority at a
selection.
The executive summoned eaC
Democratic senator 10 his private q
flee and there urged each one to su
port the Stockwell bill His urgeuC
was so positive as to be interpret,
by senators as an executive order. /
told friends and opponents OF It ALL
that it must be passed without amen
ments.
The Governor has resurrected Il