The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-04-24

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+ direct !
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WAT HEN the legislature Of Con-
AHMg necticut recently ratified the
W W federal constitutional amend
ment providing for the cleo
ton of United States senators by
p direct vote Of the people a change
which had been advocated for more
than sixty years was at last assured.
AS result all men elected to the SEN
ate for the term beginning March 4,
1915. and for all terms thereafter will
be chosen by direct vote.
Connecticut was the thirty-sixth
state to ratify the amendment, and her
addition to the list made up the three
fourths required under the language Of
the constitution for the amendment Of
that instrument.
News of the Connecticut legislatures
action was received with Joy by advo
Gates of the proposed change through
out the nation. It indicated the end Of
a long struggle in which much effort
had been spent apparently in vain. for
in spite Of the many years the amend
ment had been advocated it was not
was induced for the first time in its
history to give it's consent to the
change. On that day it voted to sub
nit the proposed amendment to the
states
Massachusetts, Was First.
The proposed change in the organic
law was approved first by Massachu
sets, May %, 1912 Other states fol-
lowed in rapid succession until with
in half Il dozen of the necessary three
fourths had swung into line. Then
progress became slower. and in some
states the proposition was bitterly
fought
The complete list Of states which
ratified the amendment before Connec-
ticut joined the procession are:
Arkansas, Arizona. California, Colo
RADIO, Idaho. Illinois. Indiana. Iowa.
Kansas. Maine. Massachusetts. Mis-
souri,. Michigan. Minnesota, Montana.
Nebraska. Nevada, New Hampshire,
New Jersey. New Mexico. New York,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oregon. Oklahoma. Pennsylvania. Ten
nessee, Texas. Vermont. Washington,
West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyom-
ing.
Not all of these states have official
ly notified Washington of their action.
but letters urging promptness were
sent recently to all states which had
failed to report, and their compliance
will mean an early announcement
from the national capital that the
amendment has been adopted.
The amendment as finally adopted
is based upon what is known as the
Bristow amendment which would
give the federal government the same
authority it now holds with respect
to the election of members of the
house Of representatives to supervise
the election if necessary.
The Democrats in general fought
this provision. but finally accepted it
as the only compromise that could be
brought about.
History of Amendment.
The amendment was introduced in
the house april 5, 1911. and favorably
reported April ~. 1t was amended
and passed the next day. The propo-
sition was introduced in the senate
April II, 1911, referred first to the
committee Oh privileges and elections
and re-referred to the judiciary CON-
mittee.
In this committee it was fought long
and aggressively, but a favorable re-
port finally was obtained. and Senator
Borah reported it, nd on May 8. 1911.
it was made the unfinished business.
May % and "a it was debated. and
the next day an agre ement was reach
ed to vote on June y.
The Bristow amendment was adopt
ed June ~ by vote of A to "a, the
vice president casting the favorable
vote that wrote it into the resolution.
The same day the resolution was
agreed to as amended by a vote of 81
to "a. The house twice before had re-
jected the terms Of the Bristow
amendment. but after long delay and