Semi-weekly herald., 1912-05-06

Is II possible that after these many
years of fruitless effort to get through
congress bill to provide for the
election of United States senators by
direct vote of the people that there
now appears to be a reasonable hope
for ultimate success. Session after
session brought up this contest. Time
and again the people through their
representatives in congress voted for
this provision, but as often the sena-
tors, regardless of party, would vote
the measure to the senate graveyard
where many popular measures have
seen their finish simply because the
election of the senators has been so
far away from the voice of the people.
Even when the house, regardless of
party, sent up good measure along
this line the senate would invariably
attach an amendment to it that would
to all intent and purposes destroy the
effect Of the proposed bill. The rea-
sons, given by the various opposi-
ton leaders in the senate for their
action, were simply disgusting to the
American people who have become de-
termined to fight the matter through
until this irresponsible body come TO
realize that it can not forever resist
the popular demands of the people.
During the present session Of con-
gress the battle has been waged and
it now appears that the measure may
soon be submitted to the state for
adoption or rejection. The bill as sent
up to the senate was amended. The
house refused for sometime to ac-
cept the amendment, but it at last
appears that an agreement has been
reached whereby the house will accept
the Bristow amendment and then the
bill will no doubt be signed by Presi-
dent Taft. Then the amendment will
be submitted to the various states and
when approved by at least three
fourths of the state, as provided by
the United States constitution, it will
become part of the constitution.
1t will no doubt require some two
years to secure the adoption of the
amendment by the sufficient number
of states, either ratifying it through
their legislatures or through conven-
tions called for that purpose. What
ever may be the final result of the
present good prospect it is true that
the matter is nearer successful ter
mination than it has ever been before.
1t is to be earnestly hoped that moth
ing will arise TO interfere with the
measure in its final stages.
This question has been so thorough
ly discussed by all thinking people and
the necessity of the change is so ap-
parent that lengthy discussion of
the expected results need not now be
made. The recent scandals in the
election of senators throughout the
country is yet fresh upon the minds
of all. The present senatorial con
dition in Colorado is disgrace to
any state, but it is no worse than it
has been in Delaware, Illinois, Texas
and several other states. The fact
that the Legislators spent a large
part of their time fussing over U.
s. senator, neglecting other bust
ness matters of the state, then crowd
ing through on the very last day
bunch of half prepared bills, is enough
to convince the most rock-ribbed of
ancients that the present manner of
selecting senators is an abominable
failure. Party lines have long since
been obliterated on this question, but
many of those fellows in the senate
have felt that the present method is
easier for them to secure seats than
would be the method of direct election.
Let US be slow to change the consti-
tuition of this country but let us
change it whenever we can better our
conditions.