The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-20
STRONG PLEA FOR
DIRECT. ELECTION
SENATOR BoRan POINTS OFT MI
DUTIES ar PRESENT SYSTEM
or CHOOSING SENATOR'S.
REFERS TOLORIMER CASE
Trit.~ or INNIaERABLE SCAN
naES, GROSS FRAUDS, tFtsi<-
r.ATryE RARTERING OUT
GROWTH OF ELECTIONS
nv LEGISLATURES.
urRARLE SCAN

ASHI%GTON. January cb.--CitinC
she opportunities FOR corruption and
the tying up Of legislatures-such as
nov. exist IN several States--as the re-
suit OF the present system Of electing
members Of the United States Senate.
Senator Borah. Republican, ~ Idaho.
yesterday inside a strong plea for the
passage Of resolution submitting to
the states a constitutional Amendment
providing for direct elections.
The system IS vicious ana vut OF
date. prepared fer q different age and
under different conditions. than that
in which we live he said. The times
demand a different system, different
mechanism for selecting the members
of this great body.
I'm the last twenty years there
have been a great many prolonged
contests in State legislatures. which
illustrate one OF the great evils OF the
present system. The entire sessions
OF some legislatures has been orcu-
pied in the electtng of senators tn
the exclusion of everything else. for
which they were called together. In
some instances States have gone with
out full representation here because
Of headio KS in the Legislature.
Evils of the system.
In other instances bribery and cor
ruption have been charged. and cor
ruption and scandal have attached TO
the session. 1t is not alone that Oh
rect and open bribery sometimes pre-
wallis but that which is equally as had
more often prevalls--bills and meas
ures are traded upon or killed. the
public interest liz sacrificed or actually
bartered away, patronage and office
enter into tho deal. and the whole
affair becomes a disgrace and IL OF
itself sufficient condemnation of the
present system.
Prior to 1872, We had had but one
case OF alleged election bribery con-
nected with seat upon this floor.
Since that time We have had ten, 10
say nothing OF "a number Of investiga-
lions before state legislatures, which
never reached this body Take as an
illustration the matter now before the
Senate tthe Lorimer easel. Let us
look at II moment aside from ans.
question Of technical guilt and sim
ply as an illustration of the vice of the
system under which we now elect
members. II there liz any State where
the system might he fairly tested IL
ought to be in Illinois. The iegisla-
ture met. spent weeks and months In
the vain effort TO elect. The whole
body became demoraIized Men bar
tered their honor like the courtezans
of Babylon, and at last performed the
task amid charges and countercharges,
ordinations and recrimiuations, be-
tween the legislative members, re.
minding one Of the days when the
prong of Catalina was the scepter OF
power at Rome.
Can't Believe Legislators Under Oath
Now we are solemnly told by "A
committee of this body that so shame
less and demoraliZed. criminal and de-
graded were many of the members
Of that Legislature that they cannot
be believed on OATH and at the pres
emf time the Legislature Of that great
State, by reason of that election, Is
meeting under the eye and survett-
lance OF a grand Jury.
THE legislature is the arena, mar
row and COINED, wherein selfish and
corrupt influences can successfully on
crate. Why not send the fight to the
open forum. where IL viii be settled
upon merit, where candidates may an
peal 10 the honor and patriotism OF
the masses. Why compel men to pass
through the session or humiliation
and shame through which the sitting
member of Illinois liz passing. II he Is
Euiitless? Why make ii possible for
him to come here IL guilty."