The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-15
Explains His Position on the Bristow Amendment.
 Half or None
HIS CRITICS HAVE
 SHORT MEMORIES
Bartlett of Georgia, Who So yehe-
 mently Attacked Leaders Posi- tion, Voted for Identical Resolution in 1900

 W. Underwood of Alabama, the demo- fratic floor leader, only smiled today when his attention was called to the criticism of his vote on yesterday in favor 1f the popular election of senators resolu- ion. He thinks his critics must have short memories. Recognizing that he is pn the unpopular side at present. so far ps his southern colleagues are concerned, he defends with courage and convincing argument the position he has taken.
 Bartlett's Inconsistency
 "Ten or 12 years ago when this resolu- ion was pending in the House. he said, MT. Bartlett of Georgia, who attacked ny position on yesterday. voted for the Fucker resolution, which was practically identical in purpose with the amendment or which voted yAsterday.'
 Reference to the Congressional Record f April 12 1900, showed that MT. Under wood was correct. Every member of the Georgia delegation except MT. Lester, oted for the Ruclzer amendment. and livery member of the Alabama delegation oting at all voted for it.
 If we are back in the House of our
 
 able. we must take our medicine and UT food with the rest" said MT. Under sood today.
 'sThe resolution as amended will be atified by three-fourths of the states" Continuing. he said the situation at this congress presented but two alternatives, he Senate form of the resolution or none all. He said the south had nothing D fear from the Bristow, or Sutherland mendment, as the days of force bills Fere past Considering himself pledged y the recent Alabama convention to ring about popular election of senators, possible, he voted to accept the Senate mendment, he said. and those who really 1anted to see senators elected by the peo- e, voted for the amendment. he said.
 Reasons for Acting
 Alabama put in it's state platform when Z com euiion recently Raei ard eia-1ed A clegates to Baltimore to vote for me pr President, q plank known as section which reads as follows:
 " Section ,. We favor an amendment to he federal constitution providing for the lection of United States senators by the rect vote of the people
 As that was the last expression of ly state. the state which then so ignally honored me, 1 felt in honor ound to vote for this popular election esolution Those gentlemen who want see United States senators elected y the people voted for the resolution it was apparent that no other form the resolution could be adopted. "Gentlemen who oppose this resolu- on, fearing that it will extend the quisitorial power of Congress, recent voted to require senators to file a Eatement of their campaign expenses nd also to require the same statement om candidates for the presidency. his resolution does no more for mem- ers of the Senate than the present w does for members of the House favor putting them both on the same vel in this particular. The amend lent does not change or fix the quail cation of voters. If the Congress want to change the election machinery of he state with reference to the election members of Congress they have the ght to do it now, just as they had le right to supervise campaign expen- tures."
 Former Votes
 About 12 years ago the House passed resolution for the popular election of snators. It was voted upon April 12 ,00 and the record of that vote is 1ntained on nage 412S of the Congres. onaI Record.
 A substitute for the resolution of MT orliss of Michigan, offered by Mr. tucker of Missouri. was adopted by a pte of 135 to 90. The difference be- veen the two was this;
 The Corliss resolution left an option in be state and said senators should be ected by state legislatures unless the sope of any state either through their rislatures or by the constitution of the ate shall provide for the election of nited States senators by direct vote of he people," His amendment only touched le first paragraph of section 3, article of the constitution and that part of be succeeding paragraph relating to the ling of vacancies. But it left untouched sction 4. paragraph 1. which reads: sThe times, places and manner of hold 2 elections for senators and represen- lives shall be prescribed in each state the legislature thereof, but the Con- ess may at any time by law make or ter such regulations except as to the aces of choosing senator's"
 Cause of All Trouble
 This is the paragraph which is now ausing all the trouble. It is insisted by ose who opposed MT. Fuckers motion yesterday that this paragraph. if un- nended. would permit Congress to can- bss the returns of state election. and zen to place marshals at the polls In reply Mir. Underwood insists that ongress would have power to do no ore in regard to the election of a sen or than it now has to supervise the puiar election of members of the lower cuse of Congress,
 Frhe Corlss resolution. as perfected by Fucker amendment, was adopted by vote of 242 to 15.
 Frhe Alahaniane voting aye were: Rep sentatives Taylor. Clayton, Brewer, ankhead and Underwood. The following q not vote: Representative Aldrich of q Fourth district, republican. paired th Representative Burnett of the Sev- th; MT. stallings and General Wheeler
 Mir. Underwood's Reply
 Ir. Underwood. in his speech on yes rday. replying to MT. Bartlett of Geor- "a, said:
 I have no fear of a force bill. fAp- suse on the democratic side). have no ar that the people of the north desire Y more to control the election ma uerv of the southern states today than C people of the south desire to control : election machinery of the north. tAp- ause on the democratic side,. K,
 People Should Rule
 MT. Speaker. am in favor of e