The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-05-30
Popular Election of Senators.

Mr.. Bryan, commenting in The Com
moner on the action OF Congress which
has just agreed upon resolution to
amend the Federal Constitution so far
as 10 provide for the election Of United
states Senators by popular vote saws.
The Senate and House have agreed
upon resolution submitting for the
ratification OF the States an amendment
To the Federal Constitution providing
for the election OF United States Scnn-
tors by direct vote, II is public regret
that the resolution was not so worded
rs 10 secure unanimous support on the
Democratic side. Some OF the Southern
democrats are SO much afraid of q force
hili that they prefer TO leave the method
Oi election of Senators unchanged rather
than risk interference with local laws.
Ihen, too, there being ne Republican
party in the South, Senators are selected
at the primaries and the people do not,
therefore, feel the need OF popular cleo.
ton as much as the need i felt i'll the
North. These two reasons, taken to.
gether, account for the opposition of
number of Southern members in the
House upon the final passage OF the
resolution
Mr.. Bryan, while he regards the
possibility Of a force bill d. exceedingly
remote, recognizes that the fear is hon
estly entertained by great many South
crn Democrats, and tried when III Con.
grc>s to secure such a wording OF the
amendment rs would permit any state
to protect itself against a force bill, If
one was ever passed, by returning 10
the present method. aud he renewed
the effort to secure such an amendment
when the House and Senate disagreed
as TO the phrascology OF the amend
inent. Mr.. Bryan's plan, however, was
not accepted by The Southern repre-.
sentativcs in the lIousc--at least not by
enough OF them 10 bring it before either
body-sU the ISSUE was finally Joined
between the House plan which spccih-
cally reserved to the States control over
senatorial elections aud the Senate plan
which did not
After year had been spent in ef.
iurts At reCunciling the difference be.
tween the Senate and House the Demo.
Gratis OF the Senate tried to change the
Bristow amendment by adding a clause
proposed by Senator Bacon. The fail.
ure of this amendment alarmed the
Democrats OF the House, and rather
'H'iil i'Hh w llpNHlblt ldllNlt u SUBMIT
the amendment, after the Senate had at
last been forced TO consent 70 the re-
form, they decided to accept the Senate
resolution and thus put the amendment
before the States for ratification without
further action on the part OF the Senate.
The House acted wisely IN so doing,
and Congressman Ruckcr of Missouri,
who has led the tight, is To- be Cougratu-
lated upon his success in securing to
the people an opportunity to accomplish
TINS idr-rcaching reform. II the Demo
Gratis retain their majority in the next
congress ana secure control OF the Sen,
ate they may be able 20 add the pro
vision desired hv the Southern states !
men, who fear force bill. But il |
would have been difficult to make q |
successful campaign this year il the |
Democratic party had permitted defeat
OF delay III The submission Of the |
amendment, Now let the matter Of |
rAtIhcatium be taken up and pressed IN |
every State AS soon ~ the Legislatures |
convene, In every convention Demo |
Gratis and Republicans should indursc |
this amendment and demand its ratif- |
cation. Mr. Bryan has been advocating |
the popular election of Senators for |
twenty-five years, and he rejnces that
WITH the Senate responsive to the poo.
ole ; viii remedial legislation will be |
made easier