New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-09
Constitutional Amendment. Re-
auiring Direct Vote, Finally
Ratified by IS States.
MADE LAW BY CONNECTICUT
President Expresses His Pleas
ure and Secretary Bryan His
Observation-Disclosures
ton Yet 10 Issue.
LFrom Thc TrIhune RnroauI

m. 8
lion hy Connecticut of the amendment
nroviding for the direct election of Unit
oil States Senators. making the necessary
,hirtv-six. or threc-fourths. OF the states
10 act favorably. all that now remains is
Tor the Governors of the thirtv-siX states
formally TO notify the Secretary of state
and Tor him TO issue q proclamation put
ting the amendment into effect.
Tvcnty-oue Governors have already
sent notices. Letters have been written
10 the fifteen others urging them TO send
official notification.
Il am sincerely glad that the amend
ment has been ratified so promptly and
reform so long fought for at last ac-
compiishod." declared the President this
afternoon. when informed Of the action
II the Connecticut Legislature.
Bryan Gratified.
secretary Bryan was also grati6ed. and
cave out the following statement:
II the report be true. il makes the
,hirtv.sixth state according to unof-
dcial reports. but we have received Of
OcisI notification from only twenty-one
states The state Department Will take
nm action until ii receives official notifica-
,ion from all the states which are re-
ported to have ratified the amendment
Il am very much gratihed To learn that
the amendment has been ratified. had
no doubt that it would be. but fact Is
better than a prediction, even when the
PREDICTION rests upon such a sure founda-
ton as that one | believe Massachusetts
VAS the first state to vote for the amend
ncnt. and If it is true that connecticut
has been the last state whose vote was
necessary Ia ratification, then New Eng
land can claim to be the Alpha ana the
omega Of ratification. although II was
NOT nj the la boring oar during the twenty
wears Of struggle for this great reform
While the proclamation If the secretary
Of State. announcing final rauncauon Oh
tto amendment by thirty-siN states is re-
,uired ny law. Senators Bristow and 80
rab leaders in the direct elections ight
Il, CONGRESS. expressed the opinion to-day
toat the amendmen. was Tor all practical
,prposes now a part Of the Constitution.
Any man who may be elected TO the
senate hereafter must be elected direct
d." said Senator Borah.
Tine new amepdu ent gives to the state
LEGISLATURES. however. the right 20 pre-
..,ihe tho methods for electiug Senators.
Many LEGISLATURES have adjourned. and
will not reconvene until early in 1913.
low weeks before the terms Of over thirty
Senator's expire. IT Is expected that in
MANY states the legislatures will adopt
tho plan authorized IN the new amend
mont. and direct the Governors to APP
= ,.pt Senators temporarily until the peo-
,le IAN elect men at regularly called cleo
tons.
Special Sessions to Be Urged
Srecial sessions of the legislatures VIII
lo urged in many states SO that the nee
e.ssr,. laws can be passed before the gen
erai elections in 1914. In some states ac-
,iou has already been taken. or VIII Dc
before the legislatures end their preseh'
sessions. authorizing the people to vote
FOR Senator's at next years election
The choice Of Senator in Mary anu
fo- the place now held by Senator 1aCN-
san would have been made by the LeE'S
l.turo next year under the ola system,
, erecia1 session Of the Legislature wouI"
be necessary to provide laws OS WIZ"
,onslar election could occur next year
IN tho oninjon Of members OF me senate
va successor can he appointed by the
Governor under the new provision "hon
Senator Jackson's term expires unless inc
Legislature shall have especially directed
such action.
Hartford. April S.-The proposed amend
mcnt 10 the federal Constitution proVidlhe
for popular election o. United States sen
ators was ratified by the ConHec'lc"'
General Assembly to-day IL was ap
proved in the House, 80 to a. ana passeu
the Senate unanimously.
Providence April S.-Rhode Island VIII
NOT ratfy tn amendment TO the iederal
Constitution providing for the direct elec-
ton OF United States Senators This was
decided at a meeting Of the Republican
steering committee of the Senate to-day.