Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-03-14

November election. that is. during the
spring or summer. and it is ascertained
that additional legislation is necessary to
enable the people to elect the Senators in
November, the Governor could call special
session Of the General Assembly for that
purpose. 50 that the election machinery
would be made sufficient for the people to
elect their Senators this year.
If the new amendment should not be
adopted until after the November election.
but before the Legislature at its next ses-
sion. which begins in January. 1914. chooses
the Senators under the present provisions
Of the Constitution then the Legislature at
its next session could pass whatever addi-
tiOnal legislation may be necessary TO COM
plete both the Primary and the General
Elections laws for the nomination and
election Of Senators; and provide also for
a special election Of Senators in the year
1914. Such an election Of Senators could
be held in the Congressional elections Of
1914.
Il notice that Senator Bristow has stated
that the adoption Of the amendment be-
tween now and the expiration of Senator
Smiths term in 1915 would mean that the
whole State would have to elect his sue
cessor. This. however, is not in accordance
with the express terms Of the proposed
amendment. which declares this amend
ment shall not be so construed as to affect
the election or term Of any Senator chosen
before it becomes valid as part Of the Con-
stitution
Under this provision of the new amend
ment, if our General Assembly at its next
session. which is the time when under the
present constitutional provisions. Senator
Smiths successor is to be chosen. shall
have elected his successor before the amend
ment shall have been duly ratified. then
the elect ion by the Legislature Of Senator
to succeed Senator Smith will be valid un-
der the amendment itself. which will no,
affect or invalidate either the election o.
the term Of the Senator 50 chosen.
Much Of what have already said ap-
plies to the filling Of the short term as vel
as to the election for the long term. 1
the ratification Of the new amendment &C
ours before the next Legislature shall hav,
chosen a successor to Senator Jackson. hi
successor will have to be elected by tn,
popular vote. And if the amendment i
ratified as early as the spring and summer
the Governor may issue writs of election
under the provisions Of the new amend
ment for the election to fill the vacancy
and nominations may be made and the cleo
ton held for that purpose in the same man
ner as outlined above with regard to tn,
long term
William L. Marbury said the amend
ment provides simply that United State
Senators are to be elected by the peopl
hereafter instead of by the Legislature
When sufficient number of State Leeisla
lures have ratified the amendment and
proclamation announcing the fact is is
sued. it will become part Of the organi
law at once without further action of an,
sort
The amendment. Mr.. Marbury pointe,
out. leaves to the Legislatures of tn
States the duty of providing machiner,
for the election Of Senators. In Maryland
Governor Goldsboroueh could call a specia
session Of the General Assembly for the
purpose Of providing for the election o
the Senators at next falls balloting. |
this is not done. the Legislature may tax,
up this work next winter and after arrane
ing the necessary machinery could order ,
special election at an early date.
IF the amendment is ratified and pro
claimed at any time before the constitu
tional date as now fixed for the election
OF Senators by the Legislature, the duty
at once passes out of the hands Of tn,
General Assembly and into the hands Of
the people; but IL the ratification of the
amendment is delayed until after that time
and the Legislature selects successors to
Senators Smith and Jackson. such selec-
tions will be valid, even though the amend
ment is proclaimed the next day.
Should the amendment be adopted pre-
vious to the meeting Of the Legislature,
the Senatorial primary Of next fall would
be without effect except as having shown
the party choice Of the voters Under the
new law until some definite method is
provided party candidates would be Sc
lected. probably, according to party usage
and through the employment Of the ac-
cepted party machinery. most likely as
candidates for State offices are chosen at
present"
The fact that the amendment is likely
to be adopted before next falls election
and that the people Of the entire State
and not the Legislature will perform the
important function Of choosing their rep
resentatives in the upper house Of Con-
gress makes a change in the face Of af-
fairs that comparatively few persons have
considered
The Senatorial primary in Maryland as
now arranged. and in which such a warm
fight is expected. was planned to permit
the people to select their Senators and to