New-York tribune., 1913-07-21
FEAR COMPLICATIONS
IN ELECT|NG SENATORS
Many States Have Failed to
Provide Methods for Direct
Vote by the People.
ANXIOUS ABOUT VACANCIES
Democratic Leaders See Danger
to Their Narrow Majority If
Action Is Delayed by
Legislatures.

Washington. July 2O.--Complications are
predicted as certain to arise over the IN
stallation OF the direct election method
for the selection of United States Sena-
tors Most OF the trouble is expected 10
result from the failure of state legis-
latures to provide promptly appropriate
methods for carrying out the recent
amendment to the Constitution. Leaders
of the Senate majority are more anxious
about the situation than the Republicans.
for should two or more vacancies on the
Democratic side of the chamber occur
the narrow margin of power in the body
would be gone.
There are thirty-two Senate terms
which will expire on March 3, 1915. Some
of the states affected already have pro-
vided a method Of popular election ot
Senator's but great number have not ana
vacancies caused by death or resignation
may call at any time for a popular selec-
ton from states which have not acted.
Democratic members Of the Committee
on privileges and Elections have consid-
cred the advisability of having national
law prescribing method applying to all
states alike. TO do this Congress would
exercise its power, under the Constitu-
ton. to revise state regulation as TO the
time and manner Of selecting Senator'S
a step which never has appealed to South
ern Senators No sooner was the sug-
gcstion of federal legislation made than
they entered protest and the idea has
been abandoned
Action in Few States.
e f,.oro;s rac.ntlN on
acted legislation in regard to the placing
of the names of candidates on the ballots
and has elected the first Senator by this
method The Florida Legislature decided
ii already had sufficient laws for this
purpose The Texas Legislature has been
called to meet in a special session to con-
sider. among other things, the passing or
laws for election machinery in accord
ance with the amendment.
The Governor of Maryland has decided
that he is empowered under existing laws
20 issue writ of election TO fill the uneX-
pired term of the late Senator Rayner
Senator jackson is now serving by desig-
nation of the Governor Such constitu-
tionul lawyers of the Senate as Senator'S
Root and Sutherland are said TO entertain
issue the writ, and the appearance OF
new Senator from Maryland TO take the
oath Of office may mark the initial hght
in the Senate over the Senatorial election
machinery.
The situation is complicated by the
amendment further limiting the power OF
Governors to fill vacancies in the Senate.
In the past a Governor has filled vacan-
cies occurring when the Legislature was
not I'm session Hereafter Governor may
not fiji a vacancy unless the Legislature
of his state has empowered him to make
temporary appointments. The people
may fll the vacancies by election. as the
Legislature may direct.
Will Urge Legislation.
The Democratic Congressional Commit
ice has had the matter called 20 It's at
tcntion and IL may take steps to urge the
states to pass legislation as quickly as
possible II will see TO IL that all the
states that elect Senators for the terms
beginning IN 1915 act before that time.
should vacancies occur during the pen
dency of the tariff act in states where
suitable machinery Is not now provided,
il is understood the committee would at
once urge the convening OF the state
legislatures TO authorize the Governors to
appoint and TO provide for the placing OF
candidates for Senator on the ballots in