The Washington herald., 1911-01-14

A vote in the Senate yesterday indi-
Gates strong drift in that body In favor
Of the adoption Of the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution providing for the
election of Senators by popular vote.
Opponents of the measure as introduced
in the Senate by the judiciary Commit
tee sought to postpone consideration Of
the matter when it came before the Sem
ate. and were voted down. 4 to II. Sew
eral Of the Senators expressed confidence
on the floor that the resolution would be
adopted. Senator Sutherland, Of Utah. Of
fered two amendments which strike out
Of the judiciary Committee resolution the
prohibition against Congress prescribing
rules in regard to the time and place of
holding elections
Will support Measure.
Senator Sutherland announced that he
would vote for the resolution proposing
the election of Senators by popular vote.
whether his amendments were adopted Or
not. but he declared that, in his opinion.
1t was highly important that Congress
should be allowed to prescribe rules and
regulations for the proposed elections.
Such rules and. regulations were in
force in regard to the election Of Rep
resentatives, and to take the rower away
from Congress in the case of the popular
election Of Senators would, in Senator
Sutherland's opinion. lead to great con-
fusion. The resolution before the Sem
ate proposes to leave to the State the
prescribing OF rules and regulations for
the elections.
Senator Hale. Of Maine. suggested that
fhn
Sutherland were most important, and
should not be "u:ed on without serious
consideration. He moved that the SEN
ate adjourn. 1t was the purpose Of the
Senator from Maine to shut OF the dis
cussion for the time in this way. Sen
ator Hale's motion, however was voted
down, 42 to Il. The vote is regarded as
indicating the drift of sentiment in the
Senate toward the election of Senators
by popular vote. although there were a
good many absentees.
Asks Unanimous Consent.
Senator Borah asked unanimous con-
sent that January - be set as the date
for formal vote on the resolution
Senator Hepburn. OF Idaho. Senator
Borah's colleague, objected. and thus
the effort to fix time for the vote was
defeated.
Senator Sutherland's amendments then
came before the Senate for immediate
Senator Carter announced that he ex-
pected to vote for the resolution in
some form or other. He asked, however.
that the matter be given more consider
alton than would be possible il the
amendments are rushed to a vote as is
now proposed. He declared that the
Senate seemed bent on voting on these
altering the fundamental
law of the land with haste that would
not be employed in considering an un-
important bridge bill.
popular election of Senators had taken
the opponents of the measure of their
guard is rushing the subject before the
Senate yesterday.
Believes 1t Will Pass.
Senator Carter declared that there is
now no doubt that the resolution will be
this session
Senator Borah said that he was disposed
to urge immediate action on the resolu-
ton. because he had been Informed that
some who are supposed now to be in
favor of the resolution intend that it
shall not be brought to a vote at all in
this session.
Senator Cullom then came to the rescue
of the Senators who were sparring for
time with the request that Senator Borah
yield to allow him to move for an execu-
tive session.
The Senator from Idaho said he was not
disposed to yield, but he finally consented
after serving notice on the Senate, how
ever, that he would call his resolution I'D
again on Monday or Tuesday. and il a
date for voting on it was not fixed at
that time he promised the Senate that
there would not be much other business
The announcement from Senator Borah
to a warning that he would
hold up other business until the question
Of the election of Senators by direct vote |
was acted upon.