The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-21
COMPLICATIONS
SURE TO ARISE
Democrats Worried Over State
Methods Of Electing United
States Senators.

Washington. July ACCOMMODATIONS
are predicted as certain u arise over
the installation of the direct method
for the selection OF United states
senators. Most of the trouble is eX-
pected to result from the failure of
state Legislatures to provide promptly
appropriate methods for carrying out
the recent amendment to the Consti-
tuition for the direct senatorial cleo
ton.
Leaders OF the Senate majority are
more anxious about the situation than
the RcpublicaHs, Tor should two OF
more vacancies on the Democratic side
OF the chamber occur. the narrow mar
gin OF power in that body would be
gone.
There are thirty-two senatorial
terms which Will expire en- March 3,
1918. some OF the states affected al
ready have provided Il method of pop
ular election of Senators. but Al great
number II Them have not, and vacan-
cics caused by death or resignation
may call at any time for a popular Sc
lection from States which have not yet
acted
Democrats members Of the Com
mittec on Priviie Ges and Elections
have considered the advisability of
having a national law prescribing a
method applying to all States alike
To do this Congress- would exercise its
power. under the Constitution, to re-
wise state regulation as 10 the time
and manner Of selecting Senators. a
step which never has appealed to
Southern Senators. No sooner had the
suggestion Of Federal legislation been
made than they entered a protest, and
the idea has been Abandoned
The legislature of Georgia recently
enacted legislation In regard to the
placing of the names OF Senators on
the ballots, and has elected the first
Senator by this method. The Florida
Legislature decided IL already had suf!i-
Gent laws FOR this purpose The Texas
Legislature has been called to meet
IN special session to consider. among
other things. the passing of laws for
election machinery in accordance with
the amendment. The Governor OF
Maryland has decided he is empowered
under existing laws to issue a writ of
election 10 fill the uncXpircd term OF
the late Senator Rayner. Senator Jack
son is now serving by designation of
the Governor Such constitutional law
ycrs OF tho Senate as Senators Root
and Sutherland are said to entertain
doubt as to the power of the Cover
nor TO issue the writ. and the appear
alCe OF a new Senator from Maryland
10 take the oath OF Office may mark
the initial fight in the Senate over the
senatorial election machinery.
The situation Is complicated by the
amendment further limiting the Gov
ernor's power 10 Ill vacancies in the
Senate. In the past Governor has
filed vacancies occurring when the
Legislature was not in session. Here
after Governor may not fill va
cancy unless the Legislature OF his
state has empowered him to make tom
porary appointments until the people
may I'll the vacancies by election as
the Legislature may direct.
The Democratic Congressional Com
mittec has had the matter called TO
it's attention, and it may take steps to
urge the States TO pass legislation as
quickly as possible. 1t viii see to it
that all the States that elect Senators
for the terms beginning i'm 1915. act
before that time. Should vacancies oc-
cur during the pcndcncy of the tariff
act. in States whore suitable machinery
is not now provided, IL Is understood
the committee would at once urge the
converting OF the state Legislatures to
authorize the Governors TO appoint and
to provide for the placing OF candidates
for senator on the ballots in future
elections.