The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-23
As TO SENATORIAL ELECTIONS,
DEMOCRATS WANT LAWS FOR
CHOOSING SENATOR'S.
Not All Legislatures Make Proyi-
sion for Carrying Out Recent
Amendment to Constitution.

Washington, July 2O.-Complica-
tions are predicted as certain to arise
over installation of the direct cleo
tion methods for selecting of United
States senator's. Most of the trouble
is expected to result from the failure
of State legislatures to promptly pro-
vide appropriate methods for carry
ing out the recent amendment to the
tions.
Leaders of the senate majority are
more anxious about the situation than
the Republicans. Should two or more
vacancies on the Democratic side of
the chamber occur the Democrats
narrow margin of power in that body
would be gone. Thirty-two senatorial
terms I expire March 3, 1915. Some
of the States already have provided a
method of popular election of sena-
tors, but many of them have not and
vacancies, caused by death or resig-
nation, may call at any time for q
popular election from States which
have not yet acted.
Democratic members of the COM
mittee on privileges and elections
have considered the advisability of
having a national law prescribing a
method applicable to all States alike.
To do this congress would exercise it's
power under the constitution, to re-
wise State regulations as to 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 plac-
ing the names of senator's on the bal
lots and has elected the first senator
by this method. The Florida legisla
ture decided it already had sufficient
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 de-
cided he is empowered under exist
ing laws, to issue writ of election to
fill the unexpired term of the late
Senator Rayner. Senator Jackson is
now serving by designation of the
governor.
Such constitutional lawyers of the
land are said to doubt the power of
the gavernOr to issue the writ and
the appearance of a new senator from
Maryland to take the oath of office
may mark the initial fight in the sem
ate over the senatorial election ma
chinery.
The situation is complicated by the
amendment further limiting the gov
ernOr's power to fill vacancies in the
senate. In the past a governor has
filled vacancies occurring when the
legislature was not in session. Here
after a governor may not fill va
cancy. unless the legislature of his
State has empowered him to make
temporary appointments until the
people may fill the vacancy by cleo
ton as the legislature may direct
The matter has been called to the
attention of the Democratic congress
siOnal committee and it may take
steps to urge the States to pass legis-
latiOn as quickly as possible. 1t will
see to it that all the States that elect
senator's for the terms beginning in
1915, act before that time. Should
vacancies occur, during pendancy of
the tariff act in States where suitable
machinery is not now provided, it is
understood the committee would at
once urge the cOnvening of the State
legislature to authorize the governors
to appoint and to provide for the plac-
ing of candidates for senator's on the
ballots in future elections.