Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-31
ADAMSON SHOWS WHY
HE OPPOSES AMENDMENT
Congressman of Fourth Dis
trict Makes Deep impress
sion on the House
sx RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON, d, c., May 29.-
Congressman w. C. Adamson, of the
Fourth district. stated his reasons for
opposing the Bristow amendment in a
five-minute speech. which made a deep
impression on the house when the pop
ular elections resolution was under
consideration. Judge Adamson de-
clared that he would favor the amend
ment offered by his colleague-Judge
Baftlett-and failing to get this. he
would vote against the Bristow amend
ment
Judge Adamson said:
Mr.. Adamson: Mr.. Speaker, 1 regret
to observe that distinguished gentlemen
who on other subjects and other occa-
sions ex hibit considerable acumen APP
pear at this time to be utterly unable
or entirely unwilling to differentiate
between the limited difficulty and dan
ger Of federal interference with cleo
tions by state legislatures on the one
hand, and the much dreaded and much
more easy and infinitely more danger
Gus intermeddling with popular cleo
tions held in the states. That is the
essential difference which appears to
me plain enough for anybody to see
between the two propositions before
the house. 1 am perfectly satisfied
with the existing provision of the con-
stitution as operating and Intended to
operate on elections by the legislature
but a radical change is proposed, which
introduces new methods and invites
new dangers. 1t is proposed that the
senators shall be chosen by direct vote
of the people of the states, not OF
their own volition, but by constitution
al mandate. Those states which really
desire the election of senators by the
people have provided for it by pri-
mary elections. Others, IL they should
come to desire It, could adopt the same
method; but it is insisted that all
states cannot or viii not do it, there
fore 1T is necessary to change the plan
through an amendment to the consti-
tuition and compel all states to select
senators by popular election. We are
willing to have that and have voted for
it. The only condition we placed upon
it was the fair and reasonable pro-
vision that the states should determine
the time, place and manner of cleo
ton. The reasons for ii were manifest
in this house, which passed the meas
ure with that qualification by an over
whelming majority. 1t is strange to
me that the leaders in charge, who are
now beating a retreat, should have per-
sisted in that course IL it was erron-
eous, thereby delaying action for a
whole year. They say we were right
and still protest that they desire the
resolution in the form originally adopt
ed by this house, but they say we are
whipped. that we cannot carry it our
surrender and vote with our opponents
to put the wrong upon us. That is not
my theory of waging war, practicing
law, or practicing craftsmanship. If
wrong finally prevails over me I will
probably submit after the die is cast
of self-destruction bordering on suicide
Of which I will never be guilty.
The federal government viii never have
constitutional authority to intermeddle
with popular election of senators in the
states until the amendment is adopted
If we vote 1t down we may secure one
but 1 will never consent and contribute
to my own destruction by voting with
the other side to run over and de-
molish me. That would be a species
in proper form, as we first adopted it.
1t is very poor tactics to daily along
with the senate and give them to under
stand either expressly or tacitly, that
If they do not yield we will. 1t is the
fault of the senate, aided by the vacil-
lating weakness OF our own leaders, II
this resolution goes through in its
amended form, which. in my judgment,
will be infinitely worse than defeating
the amendment. II we would defeat
the resolution of the gentleman from
Missouri and let the senate know we
mean it, the senate will either recede
and pass the unamended resolution now
or leave the matter open, so that action
can be secured in the future. I for one
will not vote to foreclose the matter
and pass thereby, down to the states a
resolution which, in its amended form,
is a qualification of ourselves, an insult
to American intelligence, departure
from American principles, and a danger
Gus exeriment, fraught with possible ca
lamity to our country and its institutions.
nor are my apprehensions confined to
my own section. The failure of recon-
struction, the assertion of our manhood,
and the survival of our civilization to
illustrate Americanism in this country
and ultimately dominate it's statesman
ship and civilization demonstrate the in
ability Of federal interference to hurt
us. But there are states in this union
in which the character of the population
and conditions in their large cities bid
us sit UP and take notice. They are
now represented by men committing the
fatal error of voting to bring upon them
the evils which we seek to avert. 1 shall
vote against the resolution of the gem
tleman from Missouri, leaving the field
open for wiser and better action in the
future, when wiser and better counsels
prevail in both houses. 1 fear that too
much politics at this time imperils our
safety.
RNIA nR nj AnHhaAn m