Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-15
THE DIRECT VOTE.

Speech of Congressman Finley Gray
of IndianaD
MIR. Gray. one Of the powers orig
inally vested in the people and sur
rendered to the state legislature on
the constitution was the power OF the
election OF United States senators. The
indirect power reserved by the people
in the election of the members OF state
legislatures. who were empowered TO
elect senator's was sufficient to hold the
senate responsive to popular VIII un-
til the development OF these new ana
changed industrial conditions, the COM
binations of capital, the concentration
of wealth, and the organization OF
great special interests. Under these
new and changed condition the United
States senate was fast becoming an
exclusive, aristOcratic. and autocratlc
body. unresp Dnsive TO the VIII or the
people. The proceedings of this branch
of congress were being characterized
as "the treason of the senate" and with
other cancellations signifying disloyalty
and disregard for popular Will Then
the necessity for the recovery by the
pe0ple of power back to themselves for
exercise by the direct vote was tinally
and fully realized and the amendment
to the federal constitution providing
for the election Of United States SEN
ators by direct vote was adopted. Ihat
the people have not mistaken their
remedy in resorting to the direct vote
TO meet these changed conditions and
to recover to themselves the power to
better direct legislation and control the
administration of government is proven
by the effect of the change from state
legislatures to the direct vote in the
fFrG
Even before this amendment providing
for the election of United States SEN
atOrs by the direct vote of the people
had become effective and in anticipa-
ton of such change alone, the United
States senate took on new and
changed policy and suddenly became
more progressive than the house of
representatives.
This movement for the recovery of
greater and more positive power back
to the people for their exercise by the
direct vote. and upon their own initia-
tive. cmbndies the basic and fundamen-
tai principle of what is commonly
known today rs progressive policies OF
government. the first and initial step OF
which has already been taken in the
restoration of power to the people in
the election of United States senators.
:
in tho recovery Of power by the people
for exercise by the direct vote until
these new conditions are met and legis-
lative bodies and administration of
fCials have again become responsive
to the viii of tho majority.
Another power no less vested in the
people by natural right and surrend-
cred by them to state legislatures and
conventions on the adoption of the con
stitutiOn was the power to alter.
change and amend their constitution.
While amendments to the constitution
are less frequent before the country
for determination than the election OF
United States senators and Legislative
officials. vet they are of more vital
concern and of more serious import to
the general welfare and ultimate pub
lie interest. The authorization of this
additional mode of initiation and rati-
ficatiOn of amendments to the federal
constitution is imperative under these
new and changed social, economic and