The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-27
Writes That He Will Not Sup
port Petition From Idaho
Legislature.
SENATORS NOW CHOSEN
IN RIGHT WAY, HE SAYS
Calls Present Plan in Congress
UnhOIy Combine to Disfran-
chise Negro.
Special to The Tribune.

Special to The Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-In sharp
letter to W. L. Clifford secretary of the
state of Idaho. United States Senator w.
B. Hepburn refuses TO support the con-
stitutional amendment for the election Of
senators by popular vote. The letter was
called out by the transmission through
the secretary OF state. OF memorial to
congress in favor OF the constitutional
amendment
THE petition of the legislature of the
state OF Idaho will receive my due con-
slderation, but not my support" says
Senator Hepburn In nv capacity as a
senator of The United States. speak for
all OF the states in the union collectively.
THE manner OF election of senators Is
not the only consideration. In speaking
to the Republican convention prior To It's
Endorsement of my election TO the United
States senate, and on every other appro-
pirate occasion. have stated that / was
not In favor of q change in the manner
OF electine senators OF the United States,
have not seen one reason to change
my views in regard 10 that question,
Il have not lost confidence in the in
tegrity or ability OF the citizens OF the
state. OF of the nation. nor have l lost
confidence In the wisdom OF their Seled<
tion OF members OF the legislature. The
legislature OF Idaho has given no cause
In the past to suspect their integrity or
ability TO perform their duties.
No General Sentiment, He Says.
II am not willing to indorse any action
that would, directly or indirectly. indi-
confidence of the people. l cannot con-
ceive that the legislature intended, in
adopting this resolution. to confess its
tional duty in electing United states
senators. or that 1t intended To suggest
that future legislatures would not be as
honest or competent.
I'm my Judgment il is NOT frua tbo .
the people OF Idaho desire any change
In the constitution OF the United States
upon fair and intelligent consideration
OF the question. 1t is so easy for some
men. when they think they want a thing.
10 support their effort TO obtain il by as
sertins that everybody else wants II,
THE present resolution pending before
the United States senate In this regard
provides for the repeal Of that portion
OF section OF article l OF the constItu-
ton which gives congress the power to
concerning the manner and time OF elect =,
Ing senators. This was inserted in the
resolution, providing for the election of
senators by direct vote In order TO get
The votes OF those states where they de-
sired and have been attempting to dis
franchise part of the people in viola
ton OF the constitution
Sees Southern Conspiracy.
They chafe under the restraint of the
constitution, which prevents them from
violating the law of the land, the law
OF justice. and the law OF right They
arc willing to support the proposition TO
amend section three so as TO elect sepa-
tors by direct vote of the people in con-
sideration OF the repeal of one OF the
most important provisions in the consti-
tuition. to wit: Section Of article |, II
Is an uuholy combine. having in view
the disfranchisement of the negro or
any other portion Of the people against
whom certain states have been for fifty
years waglng franchise warfare. When
these questions are discussed with and
among the people, they will very soon
show by their votes they are not in favor
of the resolution to which the memorial
of the Legislature of Idaho is directed"