Posted on 12/28/2017 12:36:40 AM PST by Jacquerie
In opposition to the Framers, late 19th century progressives promoted a new purpose, and a new foundation for the senate. Rather than block the will of the people, the new senate should facilitate their will. To facilitate their will, it follows that senators must, like representatives, stand for popular election.
In 1891, Senator David Turpie (D-IN), said that direct election, “would serve the needs, wants, aims, and aspirations of the masses of men in our communities to be more faithfully reflected, more clearly imaged forth in the laws of the country and administration.”
Self-interest led the House of Representatives to support the 17th Amendment (17A). Popularly elected senators represented the same constituency (albeit more numerous) as popularly elected representatives. Through their senators, pre-17A states often did their duty and blocked populist proposals from the house. Without the influence of state legislatures, the house stood to gain power in congress.4
Few voices advised caution, that despite the progressives’ propaganda regarding corruption, the senate still served its Constitutional and proper purpose, to temper and cool wild proposals from the house, protect the states from federal encroachment, and provide wise counsel and circumspection of the president’s nominees and proposed treaties.
In an 1893 address, senator George Hoar (R-MA) itemized ten reasons to reject a resolution from the house to amend the Constitution.5 Among them:
• Direct elections are susceptible to vote fraud, fraudulent naturalization, fraudulent residences, forged returns, intimidation, and mob violence.
• Compared to corruption in legislative elections, expect far worse in party conventions.
• Partisanship, rather than the interests of the states, will determine popular elections.
• Once the Constitution provided for direct election of senators, expect similar movements to elect the President.
(Excerpt) Read more at articlevblog.com ...
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Education, history, republic BUMP!
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Greg Hoar, the Nostradamus of late 19th century America.
Correction - George Hoar, the Nostradamus of late 19th century America.
Yes, he pretty much nailed it.
Funny how human nature is static and predictable.
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