The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923, January 18, 1907, Page 7, Image 7
vw , ' K . -" .- ' , v " ; JANUARY 18, 1907 The Commoner. r I SPECIAL OFFER Thomas G. Hovorka, New Prague, Minn.- The true merit of any ambitious newspaper is its editorials besides news items. To be both attrac tive and instructive, editorials must contain origi nality and truth. The Commoner not only pos sesses these invaluable qualities, but it abounds with original democratic principles. It was a happy thought of Mr. Bryan to undertake the task and instruct millions of our people through his great paper. The Commoner leads, is fear less in expressing the truth and exposing de bauchery. Its treatise on the civil government ..fills a long felt want in the journalistic field and is indispensable to the student of political economy. The following have sent in yearly subscrip tions in number as follows: George B. Strat mann, Omaha, Neb., 8; C. A. Wooley, Eugene, Ore. 9; W. W. Campbell, Ridgeway, Mo., C; W. B. George, Billings, Mont., 10; James F. Courtney, Madison, Wis., 6; J. P. Reed, Belton, Texas, 6; W. J. Scates, Knoxville, Tenn., 6; C. H. Bowen, Ellicottville, N. Y., G; William H. Knappenberger, South Allentown, Pa., 6; T. C. Fox, antz, Md., G; G. W. Parks, Lexington, Ohio, G; T. J. Warren, Boise, Okla., 6; David Smith, Shelbyville, Ind., v G; L. M. Barr, Dayton, Ohio, 12; Richard Power, Astoria, Ore., 6; Phil LaFortufie, Mitchell, S. D., 6; T. J. Warren, Girard, Kan., 7; P. O'Leary, Mitchellville, la., 8; J. A. Price, Goldthwaite, Texas, 12; William P. Hill, St. Louis, Mo., 6; George Warin, Maloy, la., 13; T. R. Hawkins, Cameron, Wis., 7; G. D. Kelly, Columbia, Mo., 6; D. D. Williams, Danville, Pa., 6; A. J. Kelly, Steubenville, Ky., 6; S. James, Port Archard, Wash., 7; J. L. Truitt, Cedarville, Cal., 6; J. P. Montgomery, Greencastle, Ind., 6; H. B. Donald son, Wilsonville, Ky., 9; F. M. Fry, Hiawatha, Kan., 6; W. F. Cable, Idaho City, Idaho, 6; W. H. Engle, Molalla, Ore., G; F. O. Riley, Castle wood, S. D., 8; E. L. Bryan, Walla Walla, Wash., 9; Philip Lauffer, Harrison City, Pa., 10; George Holdren, Taos, New Mexico, 21; Thomas H. Sla ven, Paicines, Cal., 6; W. M. Simmons, Owens, Okla., 8; W. G. Cleghorn, Leonard, Texas, 7; J. W. Page, Beaumont, Tex., 6; Loyal S. Bushee,, Jamestown, N. Y., G; G. P. Harris, Auburn, 111., 6; L. T. Parker, Shedds, Ore., 9; Mrs. A. Berce geary, Donaldsonville, La., 10; A. P. Back, War ren, Ind., 6; J. D. Lysaght, St. Joseph, Mo., 7; N. E. Dumar, Malone, N. Y., 11; Clark Harper, Eddyville, Ky., 7; N. R. Tucker, Fremont, Ohio, 6; J. W. Kirkpatrick, Rushville, Ind., 7; B. B. Krammes, Tiffin, Ohio, G; H. Althuser, Caledonia, Mo., 7; Doterich Schwartz, Spring Forge, Pa., 6; James McClure, Kendall, Ky., 6; G. G. Curtis, Lakeview, Ohio, 6; John Hegley, Falmtfuth, Ind., 7; A. L. Rice, Victor, Idaho, 6; S. P. Barlow, Ad amsville, Tenn., 8; James A. Parlin, Marietta, Ohio, 6. The following have each sent in five yearly subscriptions: H. L. Ives, Rockdale, N. Y.; David Crumrine, West Unity, Ohio; William H. Codington, Martinville, N. Y.; J. A. Simmons, North Yamhill, Ore.; C. C. Parker, Talbott, Tenn., George Kerrs, Frawick, Tex.; John Vanhook, Avon, Idaho; O. Works, Menomonie, Okla.; Dr. A. J. Biswell, Queen City, Mo.; G. W. Hamlin, Rochelle, 111.; Edward Chester, Northfield, Minn.; S. Strik er, Ruffus, Ore.; W. F. Ewing, North Berkeley, Cal.; F. E. Pierce, Winfield, Kan.; J. E. Downing, Dayton, Ohio; E. K. Bitner, Byron, 111.; Dana Coe, East Burke, Vt; J. W. Lees, Shasta, Cal.; B. F. Peoples, Eskridge, Kan.; Richard Peyton, Bottineau, North Dakota; H. W. Helrich, Gallio polis, Ohio; George Merrill, Deer Island, Ore.; George -Weaver, Durango, Colo.; D. J. Kinsey, Republican City, Neb.; O. C. Lane, Bangs, Texas; John Mahurin, Casper, Cal.; Bruce McClellan, Portland, Mich.; J. J. Sadder, Sadder, Texas; T. 23. Nighswonger, Jamesport, Mo.; J. H. Donald son, Honey Grove, Texas; J. M. Harper, Spencer, W. Va.; E. Diefendorf, Leavenworth, Kan.; Henry J Felling, Terre Haute, Ind,; Henry W. Ritz, Selma, la.; A. J. Horton, Summum, 111.; M. T. Jones, Sacramento, Col.; W. H. Bollman, Steeleville, 111.; Joseph Draper, Alexandria, Ind.; R. X Williamson, Grundy Center, la.; D. S. Mar shall, West Winfield, N. Y.; John T. Tansey, Al bany, N. Y.; D. A. Lisk, Clifton Spring, N. Y.; R, R. Reeve, Edwardsport, Ind.; Hodgson & Stout, Jacksonville, 111.; H. A. N. Todd, Gardhervllle, Nev.; J. B. Siler, Alton, 111.; S. Wysong, Sawyer, Kan.; C. L. Wallis, Mercers Bottom, W. Va.; J. F. Popple, Wilson Creek, Wash.; John W. Loven, Boaz, HL; R. P. Sharer, Shelbyville, Tenn.; R. L. Popular Election of Senators Orwell C. Riddle, 327 Hamilton avenue, Co lumbus, Ohio makes an interesting suggestion with respect to the election of United States sen ators. Writing to The Commoner Mr. Riddle says: I believe the election of senators by direct vote can be accomplished by an act of congress without amending the constitution. Not t7 tiro you with a long discussion on this point, for I believe I can make a consistent argument in support of the proposition, permit mo to givo some reasons for trying to bring about this re form by statute, rather than by amendment of the constitution. If it can be done by statute it might be ac complished much sooner, perhaps, than by going through all the circumlocution of a constitutional convention with its tedious debate in every state to get the amendment proposed or a convention demanded, and again to have the amendment rat ified. Besides, I regard the prospect of calling a constitutional convention with fear that it would endanger the whole fabric it might be more difficult to stop it than to stop the man yoked to a calf, once it got fairly started. In an address at Providence, R. I., Prof. J. A. Garner of the University of Illinois on the topic: "The existing methods of amending state consti tutions," said: "The safeguards to prevent tink ering with the fundamental law verge dangerous ly near the line of prohibition in many states, and have brought about constitutional stagnation, if not retrogression, in others." This is what con stitutions are made for to prevent tinkering, and we should zealously guard against the danger of tinkering with the federal constitution. You know the constitution has been trampled on so much since 189G that there would be danger of a general assault by corporation interests once the door was opened by a constitutional convention. In the sections of the constitution relating to the election of senators (Art .1, Sec. 3, P. 1 and Art. 1, Sec. 4, P. 1) I believe authority is given congress to fix the manner of electing senators by law, especially if construed with Art. 1, Sec. 8, P. 18. The words on which the whole matter would hinge are "chosen" (Art. 1, Sec. 3, P. 1) and "time," "places," "manner" and "regu lations" (Art. 1, Sec. 4, P. 1), but I believe the definitions of these words are varied enough to sustain my interpretation. In elaboration of my position I have framed a rough draft of such an act, as I think would cover all these points, and send you a copy of it. Of course in hair-splitting opinions of courts much may bo said about "ratnhlfHimfi nmnndnnt "gathering intent from the manner of electing senators from the first," etc., but I contend that all this may bo admitted, with tho counter-point that it is custom because tho question of regu lating the matter by statute was never considered since it was nevor raised. Once raised, there Is no reason why It can not be affirmed if shown to be right and consistent. A rough draft of the bill proposed by Mr. Riddle follows: An act to regulate the election of United States senators in each state: Bo it enacted, etc.: That United States senators shall bo chosen, as provided by Bectlon three of article one of the federal constitution, in accordance with the following regulations fixed by congress, as authorized by the first paragraph of section four of article ono of the constitution of the United States: 1. In each and every state candidates for United States senator shall be nominated in liko manner as candidates for governor and other state officers are t nominated therein ; and tho names of all such 'candidates shall be placed on the official ballot to bo voted for by the electors of such state at tho time and places designated by the legislature thereof for holding an ejection for state officors therein. Returns of sucli voto cast for United States senator shall be made to the state legislature in tho usual manner for re turning the voto cast for state officers. 2. At such time, placo and manner as tho state legislature may determine for canvassing the returns of votes cast for state officers within such state, the legislature shall also canvass tho returns of the votes cast for all the candidates duly nominated for United States senator, and the person having the greatest number of votes as candidate for senator shall be chosen by tho legislature, the result of such vote and the action of the legislature thereon duly certified at onco to the governor of such state, who shall thereupon issue a commission of election to the United States senate accordingly. 3. In case of a tie for two or more persons having the greatest number of votes for senator, the legislature shall choose whichever of such candidates thus having an equal number of votes the members of the legislature may prefer, and certify to the governor tho result of the popular ballot and the action thereon by the legislature, accordingly, and the commission of election shall issue as provided in this act. Donley, Coshocton, Ohio; A. J. Blakely, Grinnell, la.; Hugo A. Hernlein, San Francisco, Cal.; C. H. Mathews, New Philadelphia, Ohio; J. S. Silvey, Kansas City, Kan.; George Thrash, Portland, Ind.; John E. Warrent, Conetoe, North Carolina; H. P. Jones, Salem, Illinois; J. R. Scott, Carthage, Missouri; S. R. Lyons, San Diego, California; W. W. Sanders, Osceola, Wisconsin; B. C. Moore, Baird, Wash.; S. Munsey, Lashmeet, W. Va.; A. L. McKean, Towanda, Pa.; James Me neely, Champaign, 111.; J. R. Everroad, Indianapo lis, Ind.; J. L. Peters, Logan, W. Va.; David F. Hite, Clarksburg, Ind.; Sol W. H. Conrad, Millers burg, Ohio.; J. L. Wheatly, Sardis, Ky.; J. D. Poston, Bonne Terre, Mo.; Joseph Buie, Hills boro, Texas; O. P. Shaeffer, Lancaster, Ohio; J. M. Stevens, Leicester, N. C; W. H. Albright, Allentown, Pa.; A. W. Webb, Rairden, Wyo.; J. W. Bowen, Richland Center, Wis.; J. H. Hamil ton, Hartford, Ark.; William B. Legg, Wolcott, Ind.; R. H. London, Tecumseh, Okla.; W. H. Wil lis, Prattford, N. D.; Urn H. Green, "billsboro, Ind.; William Wallace, Toronto, Ohio; D. B. Top ham, Minden, Neb.; John H. Honaker, Kansas City, Mo.; Frank Buob,-Philadelphia, Pa.; J. H. VanVacter, Shelbyville, Mo.; Charles Leftwich; Loco, I. T.; D. C. Ward, Union City, Ind.; H. N. Smith, Spickard, Mo.; J. C. Barker, Wainville, W. Va.; T. H. Barkley, Baldwin, Kan.; W. L. Sor rells, Holly Springs, Ark.; James Turk, Kalispell, Mont; J. E. Hitchcock, Oberlin, Ohio; A. KItchel, Fort Collins, Colo.; C. R. Brown, Terre Haute, Ind.; Joseph Besean, St. Marys, Kan.; R. Garri son, St. Joseph, Mo.; Julia Merkel, Story City, Idaho; S. F. Green, Franklin, Ind.; W. C. Humph rey, Manhattan, Nov.; Samuel M..Dean, Richfield, Kari.; J. C. Brady, Marion, Ohio; Walter Bales, Randolf, Ind.; J. U. French, Bluford, 111.; J. L. Roberson, Newkirk, Okla.; A. C. Moore, .Dover, Del. Allan Oviatt, East, Pa.; T, I. Bowewman, Willow City, N. D.; Nelson Brown, Lucerne, Kan. Everyone who approves the work' The Com moner is doing is invited to co-operate along the lines of the special subscription offer. Ac cording to the terms of this offer cards each good for one year's subscription to The Commoner Will be furnished in lots of five, at the rate of $3 per lot. This places tho yearly subscription rate at GO cents. Any one ordering these cards may sell them for $1 each, thus earning a commission of $2 on each lot sold, or he may sell them at the cost price and find compensation in the fact that he has contributed to the educational campaign. These cards may be paid for when ordered, or they may be ordered and remittance made after they have been sold. A coupon is printed below for the convenience of those who desire to par ticipate in this effort to increase The Commoner's circulation: THE COMMONER'S SPECIAL OFFER Application tor Subscription Cards . Publisher Commoner: I am interested in in- 1 r creasing The Commoner's circulation, andde- i-v sire you to send me a supply of subscription ' ., g cards. I agree to us$ my utmost endeavor to ID sell the cards, and will remit for them at the rate of CO cento each, when sold. 20 jE "" NAKB - kq Box, ob Strut No 75 P. O...., Statb 1 swn Indicate the number of cards wanted by 1UU marking X opposite one of the numbers print- ' ed on end of this blank. If you believe the paper Is doing a work that m Cu lts encouragement, fill out the above coupon and mfl It to THE COMMONER. Lincoln, Heb. ' iii i ' 'W ,!. W;.t: r i . ,