Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-21
STILL A SOURCE OF TROUBLE.

IL WAS fondly hopsd. when the Con-
stitution OF the United States had
been amended so as 10 permit the |
election OF United States Senators
by popular vote. instead OF having |
them chosen by the State Legislatures,
that good results would follow. BY |
reason OF tho longer term-Senators
nre chosen for terms OF six years and
members OF the House for two years
Senators regarded themselves as su-
perior legislative material. not COM
PEELED to cater 80 carefully to the de-
aires Of wavering constituencies:
also. being chosen by select bodies. in
stead Of by the general electorate,
they prided themselves additionally on
this account. In word. Senator. no
matter Of what kind OF actual quail
fcations. complaccnty looked upon
hinoelf as a member OF highly Sc
lect body. to which all ordinary citi-
Yens should take or their hats and
render due homage. Gross corruption
In Influencing the selection OF Sena-
tors by Legislatures also largely
tended 60 create the public eenti-
ment which incited 20 the change.
Hut even under the system OF pop
ular election We find the Senate stiIl
holding itself a. very superior body.
Just as exclusive and especially digni-
fed as in the old days. Also, It has
heen shown very pointedly. and very
recently. that senatorial elections may
be made the subject OF barter and sale
when disposed Of by popular ballot
as when awarded hV small legislative
bodies. The senatorrhip, therefore. Il
rtill looked upon a. the highest prize
under our form OF government sav-
ing only the Presidency.
And 80 IL 1. ,ha, the senatorial prize
remains the chief bone Of contention
IN the States. and in Pennsylvania. at
this time. Il is operating IN a manner
20 distract the leaders OF the dominant
Republican party. and leave them
completely al sea. With the late
Senator Penrose nj the helm, II was
an easy matter for him. n. the undls-
pu;ed leader Of the party. 10 dispose
Of senatorships. as well as other
Official prizes. in a manner that ac-
corded with his views and desires. and
what he ruled was accepted as the
party law. But since his death no one
has succeeded 10 party leadership
and the result is widespread con.
fusion and political turmoil, with nc
man In the State in position TO take
UP the party reins that dropped from
his hands and endeavor TO restor.
order and regularity.
Thi. situation was largely brough
about by the unusual occurrence o
vacancies caused by the sudden an,
unexpected death OF both the Sena
tors from that State. Upon the dealt
OF Senator Knox. Senator Penrose Sc
lected State Chairman William Z
Grow for the vacancy. and he wa
named by Governor Sproul. The
came the death OF Senator Penross
and for awhile Il was expected Gov
ernor Sproul would manipulate tn
filling Of this vacancy so as TO ar
range for his own succession, but h
set aside this temptation and name
George Wharton Pepper as Penrose'
successor. How Pepper has fareC
and already disappointed the fin
public approval that greeted his Sc
lection. is well known TO all.
Now there are two senatorial vacar
Giles to be Allied by the people OF Penn
eyiNanla at the November election
and naturally the political excitemer
II intense. Republican party arrange
ment Will assign one place TO III
eastern section OF the State and or
10 the western. a geographical divisio
which Governor Sproul recognized
making his appointment, Crow belr
from the western section and Pepp
from the eastern. And I'm both sc
tions there are numerous aspiran
now doing their best 10 so manipula
the party machinery as TO secure Il
nominations.
Senator Crow has been i'll since
appointment. and recently there wei
reports that he would resign and a
low Governor Sproul TO make anoth
temporary appointment. Also the
were rumors OF an arrangement"