The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-14
Senate Must Say Whe-
therC Constitution Shall
be Amended.
TEST VOTE SHOWS
MANY FAVOR 1T
Resolution, Favorably Reported
by Committee, Launched on It's
Legislative Voyage Despite
OpPosition-Some Are De-
termined to Prevent Vote
at This Session.

Washington. January 13.-That the
senate at this session must face tho
question as to whether the Constitu-
ton shall be amended so as to require
the election OF Senators by direct vote
of the people. was made apparent to-
day. y vote. which mary Senators
considered a test OF the sentiment OF
The Senate. was taken, and resulted
largely III favor of the proposition.
The matter arose in connection with
the joint resolution for the amendment
81 the Constitution recently reported
from the Committee on the Judiciary.
When that resolution was reached on
the calendar, Mr.. kean was ready with
an objection. which would have had the
erect of preventing immediate con-
sideration under the then order oc
business.
Then said Mr.. Borah, With quick
appreciation Of the situation, - move to
take up the resolution Notwithstanding
tie objections of the Senator from New
Jersey
Oh. don't do that" pleaded MIR. Gall
liiiger. in charge of the ocean mail
subsidy bill. THE effect of favorabl.
action would be to ~displace the shin
subsidy bill as the unfinished business.
and | know the Senator Ines not want
To do that
Resolution liz Launched.
He appealed to Mr.. llean to with
drawn his objection. The New Jersey
senator consented, and the senate cleo
ton resolution was launched upon its
legislative voyage.
Inc situation was such as to arouse
the immediate interest OF The Senator's.
MT. sutherland wanted to amend the
resolution SO as to strike out the pro
vision giving the State Legislatures
supervision of the elections. and maxi
ing other changes.
Mr.. Rayner, u staunch advocate OF
the committee resolution, suggested.
mat as the amendment went to the
heart of the question, thare should ba
time for consideration.
No whispered a dozen Demo-
Gratis in his immediate vicinity; NO.
we'll vote 1t down"
MIR. Rayner did not press his point.
but his plea was taken up by Senator.
Hale. of Maine, whose position on the
merits OF the measure is Numerically
opposite. He was sure that the reso-
luton could not be acted upon without
Protracted debate. He rrecipitately
moved an adjournment OF the Senate.
Inc frst vote was viva voce.
the ayes appear to have it," an
nounced the shair.
"Never!' exclaimed a half dozen
Let us lave the ayes and
noes. Accordingly. a roll call was
ordered. with the result that forty
three out of sixty Senators present vot-
ed against adjournment.
encouraged by this, Senator Borah
e~ndeavored to obtain the consent of
the Senate to name a day for a vote
on the resolution and all amendments
He suggested Tuesday, January "a For
a time II appeared that he would he
successful. Mr., Borah's colleague.
senator Hepburn, had not said a word
up to this time. but when the chair.
put the request for unanimous ON.
sent, he said No" and spoiled the en-
tire scheme.
Bornh Dinplcased.
Evidently Mr.. Borah was displeased
He considered the Senate prepared to
proceed.
Mr.. Carter did not agree. He wanted
time for consideration and for the al
ses,ion OF the Sutherland and other
amendments, Mr.. Borah accepted the
remarks OF Mr.. Carter as a lecture"
and said he was convinced that soma
Senator's We're determined to prevent o
vote At this session.
Then Mr.. Cullom preferred a request
for an executive session.
This was agreed to. Il yield said
Mr.. Borah. but l give notice that unless
q time IS agreed upon for a vote on this
resolution very little otnor business
Will be done"
He said he would call tho matter up
again next Monday or Tuesday.
After a brief executive session tho
Senate adjourned until Monday.
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