The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-08
WHERE PLATFORM CANNOT BIND.


Respecting the proposed Amendment to
the Constitution Of the United States provid-
ing for the direct election OF Senators by the
people, the Columbia state remarks:
Certain newspapers and certain candidates
IN South Carolina are opposing the resolution
OF Congress amending the Constitution by pro-
tiding that United States Senators be elected
by direct vote OF the people. The amendment
VIII be submitted to the South Carolina Gen
eral Assembly for ratification in due time.
The opponents OF the amendment are OPP
posing the national Democratic party platform
adopted in baltimore. Democrats Of the South
well OF other parts Of the country con
CURING In its adoption. To do is heir
right, but Democrats viii not abet thera inn the
exercise If II,
True, the Amendment as submitted includ-
ing The Bristow amendment. was adopted As
4 part of the Baltimore platform That plat
form was framed by a competent and trusted
committee. but it is to be doubted that Il
question or debate had he usual custom been
followed of preparing the platform first and
naming the nominee afterwards. CoDsdera-
ton Of the platform came at the end Of the
most wearing political convention since the war
The delegates were anxious 70 get through
out Of them II was no time for an objec-
ton such as could have been based on the
matter OF the,so-called "Bristow amendment'0
to principle which the Democracy has ear
nestly favored for several years.
But although it is approved by the plat
form do not think that it lies in the mouth
.ef the state to question the Democracy of per
States, shall oppose the ratification OF the
Amendment In the South particularly, the
measure now proposed carries distinct
danger, In effect, the Bristow amendment
pats in the hands Of Congress full power OF
control over the election of Senator'S With
the amendment in force therefore. it might
fall out that Congress might pass legislation
which would have the effect Of again enfran-
chisng The mass of negro voters in the South,
thus putting back the clock of progress by
more than a generation. And after all the
question of whether particular State shall
or shall not lend its individual consent to
the Amendment seems to us a matter for the
stat that is superior 10 and Independent OF
the recommendation of a National convention.
It comes queerly from leading South Caro-
lima newspaper 10 read out Of the party those
who contendng against what is potential
~ one Of the most dangerous attacks on what
remains Of States Rights
II has been argued tha. the BristoW amend
menI does 40 more thau give to Congress
with respect to Senators the same power that
It nov possesses with respect to Representa-
tyes That is in a measure true, but there
are two very good reasons why the power It
self has not been tyranncally exercised Of
late years One is that the Democracy is now
10 control OF one branch of Congress. The
other is that there is Independently elected
Senate to act as buffer and as restraint. The
Senate as now constituted is based upon cleo
tons held under State laws with which the
Supreme Court of the United States has re
fused 10 interfere. To change the law gov
erning such elections for Senators so as 10
put Congress in undisputed control would he
tn make possible as to both branches OF Con-
gress conditions that prevailed during recon
sjruction days.
The Democratic National Convention could
NOT well AFFORD to defeat a plank calling for
The direct election OF Senators since the party
as whole is undoubtedly IN favor of the
principle But despite the now recognized need
Or such a reform the delay will he justified If
enough States shall refuse 10 ratify it in its
present form TO force its resubmisson as it
was originally framed,