Debates in the House of Representatives on the Seventeenth Amendment, 1911

April 13, 1911

ELECTION OF SENATORS.27 min read
1: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 1 (House1911.Apr13.1)

1\11\ RUCKER of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I can for the regu•

2: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 2 (House1911.Apr13.2)

The SPEAKER. The regular order is the call of committees. The Clerk proceeded with the call.

3: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 3 (House1911.Apr13.3)

When the Committee on the Election of President, Vice President, and Representatives in Congress was called :

4: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 4 (House1911.Apr13.4)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Election of President, Vice President, and Representatives in Congress I desire to call up House joint resolution 30, proposing an amendment to the Constitution providing that Senators shall be elected by the people of the several

5: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 5 (House1911.Apr13.5)

The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the resolution.

6: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 6 (House1911.Apr13.6)

The Clerk read as follows: Joint resolution (H. J. Res. 30) proposing an amendment to the Constitution providing that Senators shall be elected by the people of tlie several States.

7: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 7 (House1911.Apr13.7)

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress ass em bled ( (two-thirds of each Ilou sc concurring therein), That in lieu of the first paragraph of section 3 of Article I of the Constitution of the United States, and in li e u of so much of paragraph 2 of the same section as relates to the filling of vacancies, and in lieu of all of paragraph 1 of section 4 of said Article I, m so far as the same relates to any authority in Congress to make or alter regulations as to the time s or manner of holding elections for Senators, tile following be proposed as an amendment to the Constitu ­ tion, which shall be valid to all int e nts and purposes as part of the ~f~tse~~ution when rati.tied by the legislatures of three-fourths of the "The Senate of the United States shall be compos e d of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have on e vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

4 connections
8: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 8 (House1911.Apr13.8)

"Tl..Je tim es , places, and manner of holding elections for Senators shall be as prescribed in each State by the l eg islatur e thereof .

9: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 9 (House1911.Apr13.9)

"When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies : Pro v iderl, That the le gis lature of any State may empower the executive th e r eof to make temporary appointments until the people fill tb e _ vacancies by election, as the legislature may dir ec t_

1 connection
10: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 10 (House1911.Apr13.10)

"This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any S e nator chos e n before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution."

1 connection
11: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 11 (House1911.Apr13.11)

Mr. YOUNG of :Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. RucKER] what arrangement he is willing to make as to time to debate this most important question?

13: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 13 (House1911.Apr13.13)

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman from Missouri [:\Ir. RucKER] yield to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. MANN]?

14: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 14 (House1911.Apr13.14)

l\fr. RUCKER of Missouri. Yes, sir. I presume it is on the same question.

15: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 15 (House1911.Apr13.15)

l\lr. MANN. I would ask the gentleman if he would not be willing to let this matter go over for a day or two. There will be plenty of opportunity to take it up. The gentleman knows that one resolution was reported into the House on this subject at the last session, and the gentleman himself introduced a resolution on the first day of the session. Now another resolution is reported in. All of these differ. Inasmuch as this is a proposed amendment to the Constitution, it seems to me that we ought to have full opportunity to consider the verbiage of it, l\lr. RUCKER of Missouri. l\fr. Speaker, answering first the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. YouNo], I say that, so far as I am concerned, I am perfectly willing to agree on a reasonable time for debate.

16: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 16 (House1911.Apr13.16)

In answer to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. MANN], while it is true, l\fr. Speaker, that various resolutions, all looking in the same direction, have from time to time been introduced and from time to time have passed the House, it seems to me that there is no reason for delaying this matter, because if the Representatives here ham convictions on any great public question, they have them on this.

17: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 17 (House1911.Apr13.17)

Mr. MANN. But, if the gentleman will pardon me, I do not ask for delay so far as the general principle is concerned and is involved, and would not do so. Members are prepared to vote upon that. But as to the language which is to be employed in amending the Constitution, where different language may be subject to different constructions, it seems to me that the House ought to be given full opportunity for consideration. I will suggest to the gentleman that there are some provisions in the joint resolution as reported which seem to me susceptible of different constructions. I think the gentleman himself would desire to have it perfectly clear and beyond question.

18: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 18 (House1911.Apr13.18)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. Ur . Speaker, the trouble about it is, I say, in answer to the gentleman, there are some people in the United States who want to IJe so perfectly clear about every question pertaining to this great and important piece of legislation that it is almost impossible to reach a time when we will have absolute unanimity of agreement, and therefore I think we ou g ht to proceed to-day.

19: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 19 (House1911.Apr13.19)

:Mr. l\IA.:NN. That is true, but ought not we to have a fair opportunity to make suggestions in reference to it in time to consider these suggestions?

20: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 20 (House1911.Apr13.20)

l'. Ir. RUCKER of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I will try to secure tleman . I do not know. all the time necessary or desired for deliberate consideration of the re s olution .

21: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 21 (House1911.Apr13.21)

Mr. MAl'i.TN . You can not do that unless you give us time to examine it .

22: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 22 (House1911.Apr13.22)

:Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. I will gtvc ample time to deIJa tc it •

23: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 23 (House1911.Apr13.23)

~ . Ir. l\LillDEN. Mr. Speaker, there is nobo<ly over here who can hear n word that is said by the gentlemen who have the floor.

24: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 24 (House1911.Apr13.24)

The SPEAKER. Gentlemen will cease conversn.tion so that th e M e rn!Jers c u n hear this discu s sion. The Chair wonld like to h ea r it hims e lf.

25: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 25 (House1911.Apr13.25)

:\Ir. MADDEN. .Mr. Speaker, I do not sec why any Member of the House is not just as much interested in the discussion ns tlrn ~IemlJcrs who have the floor.

26: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 26 (House1911.Apr13.26)

.Jfr. l\1.A1&. If th e gentleman will keep still there will l>e no difficulty in hearing.

27: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 27 (House1911.Apr13.27)

l\Ir . MADDEN. I can hear as well as any other Member of the House. If the gentleman who has the floor will rai s e his voice lli g h en o u ;:!; ll, all the Members can hear.

28: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 28 (House1911.Apr13.28)

The S SPEAKER. The point of order made by tile gentleman is :ilrcncly sns t ainetl . [Laughter.]

29: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 29 (House1911.Apr13.29)

Mr. JLUlILTON of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I desire to inquire when this bill was introduced?

30: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 30 (House1911.Apr13.30)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri . l\Ir. Speaker, this bill was introduced _ on the 4th day of April, 1911. [Applause on the Demo­ . cratic side.]

31: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 31 (House1911.Apr13.31)

:;.\fr. HAMILTON of Michigan. I thank the gentleman for his information.

32: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 32 (House1911.Apr13.32)

Mr . l\1A.i.~N. Will the gentleman from Missouri yield for a moment?

33: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 33 (House1911.Apr13.33)

The SPEAKER . Will the gentleman from Missouri yie1c1 to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr . Mann]. .

34: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 34 (House1911.Apr13.34)

Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. I will yield for a question .

35: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 35 (House1911.Apr13.35)

Mr. MANN . The gentleman stated that the resolution was introduced on the 4th day of April. The gentleman is mistaken. The gentleman's resolution was not introduced on the 4th day of April . He introduced a resolution on the 4th day of .April on this subject, but that resolution is not the one that was reported to the House. .

36: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 36 (House1911.Apr13.36)

Mr. HAl\fILTON of l\Iichign.n . When was the resolution reported?

37: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 37 (House1911.Apr13.37)

l\Ir . RUCKER of Missouri. Yesterday.

38: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 38 (House1911.Apr13.38)

Mr. YOUNG of Michigan . Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman from Missouri will permit, I would like to say a word about the parliamentary situation.

39: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 39 (House1911.Apr13.39)

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman from Missouri yield? l\Ir. RUCKER of Missouri. I yield to the gentleman for a question with reference to the division of time. If gentlemen will indicate how much time is desired for debate on that side, we will try to give it to them .

40: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 40 (House1911.Apr13.40)

Mr. YOUNG of Michigan . I will ask the gentleman if he thinks the House has had a fair opportunity to become acquainted with this measure, in view of the fact that the committee which reported it was appointed only day before yesterday in the afternoon, and that only late that evening were the notices sent out for the committee meeting.

41: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 41 (House1911.Apr13.41)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. Mr . Speaker, I can not yield to the gentleman for a speech. I yielded to him for a question. l\Ir . YOU.l. "U of Michigan . Mr. Speaker, I nm asking o. question which contains but one sentence. [Laughter.]

42: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 42 (House1911.Apr13.42)

Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. I will answer it.

43: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 43 (House1911.Apr13.43)

Mr . YOUNG of Michigan. The notices were sent out that night and did not reach the Republican members of the committee until after this meeting was held, with but one exception.

44: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 44 (House1911.Apr13.44)

Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. The call for o. meeting of the committee wa.s sent out in ample time. And not only that, but the notice reached every gentleman's office and was on his desk, and if gentlemen did not go to their offices until after the com ­ mittee's meeting, it is no fault of mine.

45: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 45 (House1911.Apr13.45)

Mr. YOUNG of Michigan. I hnvc not made any reflection on the gentleman.

46: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 46 (House1911.Apr13.46)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. I do not see what else It can be. M r. Y O UNG o:f Michigan . But those notices reached no body , !Jecausc nobody expected them . This is a resolution to amend the Constitution of the United States, and nobody has had opportunity to study it.

47: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 47 (House1911.Apr13.47)

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman yield further to the gentleman from Michigan?

48: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 48 (House1911.Apr13.48)

Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. For a question of one sentence . [Laughter.]

49: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 49 (House1911.Apr13.49)

l\:Ir. YOUNG of Michigan. I will ask the gentleman when the report was printed and ready for distribution in this case?

50: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 50 (House1911.Apr13.50)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. The Clerk can inform the gen ­ l\Ir. YOUNG of Michigan. I ask if it was not within the lust 30 minutes?

51: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 51 (House1911.Apr13.51)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. It is likely so . Now, .Mr . Speaker, a good deal has been said about gentlemen who are determined to give us Democrats n whole lot of trouble during this extra question and I, for one, invite them now to do their worst, and~ m the language of Shakespeare, I say to them :

53: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 53 (House1911.Apr13.53)

And damn"d be him that fir s t cries, "Hold, enough ! "

55: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 55 (House1911.Apr13.55)

I do not intend to allow this matter to be sid e track e d to gratify the desire of gentlemen who think they may want days or weeks in which to consider it. We have been considerin g it for years . This identical measure was before the Senate last winter, nearly all winter, and every gentleman here has convictions upon it . .

56: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 56 (House1911.Apr13.56)

Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will indicate how much time he wants for debate, I will try and agree. Otherwise I um going to demand the previous question on the passage of this re s olution.

57: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 57 (House1911.Apr13.57)

Mr . MANN . Is the gentleman going to give any opportunity for amendment?

58: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 58 (House1911.Apr13.58)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. Well, I will, if gentlemen want to debate the question. If not, I want to pass the resolution. l\Ir . l\f.A...i..~. We desire a chance to consider, debate, and amend it, and the gentleman ought to afford us that oppor ­ tunity.

60: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 60 (House1911.Apr13.60)

The SPEAKER. Doc s the g e ntleman from l\Iissouri yielu to the gentleman from ~i\la!Jnma?

61: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 61 (House1911.Apr13.61)

).fr. RUCKER of Missouri. 'Certainly.

62: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 62 (House1911.Apr13.62)

Mr . U:i\"'DERWOOD . I sl10uhl like to say to tile gentleman from Illinois that if there is any responsibility for p as s ing this measure at this time-a measure that th e Ame ri c an people have IJcen demanding for four d e cades-the r e sponsibility re s ts here, anc1 we are going to p u s s a resolution to-clny to elect United States Senators lJy the i 1 people. [Applause on the Democratic siclc.] If gentlemen on that side want a reasonable opportunity for debate and amendment, the gentleman from l\Iiesouri [:i\Ir. RucKER] has indicated that he is ready to come to an agreement. If you do not want it, say so, and we will proceed with the consid e ration of the bill.

63: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 63 (House1911.Apr13.63)

Mr. MANN. 1\Ir. Speaker, will the gentleman from Alnbama yield?

64: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 64 (House1911.Apr13.64)

The SPEAKER . Does the gentleman from Alabama yield t o the gentleman from Illinois!

66: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 66 (House1911.Apr13.66)

1\Ir . MANN. In the la s t Co n ~r e ss the gentleman from l\Iissonri [l\Ir. LLOYD] introdu c ccl n joint resolution on the subject which ''as reported to the House favorably . It came up for con sid c sideration by unanimous cons en t. I objected to the unanimous consent for the consideration of the joint resolution at that time, and was very severely critici s ed by that side of the House. Now, this resolution is very different from that joint resolution. Mr. UNDERWOOD. Ilut the gentleman from Illinois i s not respon s ible for it if he does not vote for it. We assume the responsibility if we vote for it.

67: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 67 (House1911.Apr13.67)

nir. :\IANK. That is true; but does the gentleman mean to say that in amending the Constitution both sides of the Ilouse should not have tlle fullest opportunity for consideration?

68: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 68 (House1911.Apr13.68)

Mr. UNDERWOOD. As I have just stated, the gentleman from Missouri has proposed to ,give that to you.

69: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 69 (House1911.Apr13.69)

Mr. 1 MANN. .At the last session of Congress gentlemen on that side of the House favored n. certain joint resolution on this subject. They now have an entirely different joint resolution on the same subj e ct, and yet do not desire to give, as it seems to me, a full opportunity for consideration .

70: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 70 (House1911.Apr13.70)

Mr . UNDERWOOD. I will cn.11 the attention of the gentle ­ man from Illinois to the fact that the entire resolution does not embrace 12 lines of reading matter; that any Member of this House can read it in one minute, that this question has been thrashed out and considered for years in this House, and if the gentleman wants a reasonable time f or d ebate, or a: roaso n n.ble time to offer amendments, the gentleman from Missouri [Ur . RucKER] has · stated that he would like to have you make n proposition, and say wha.t time you want.

71: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 71 (House1911.Apr13.71)

~Ir- MANN. I understood the gen tlemnn to say--

72: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 72 (House1911.Apr13.72)

Mr. Ul-."'DERWOOD. Of course it is unnecessary to discuss the question us to whether it is to go over or not . The gentleman from Missouri [.Mr. Rucker] has stated that he did not propo se to let the bill go over . He intends to proceed with its immediate consideration. The question now is as to whether or not gentlemen on that side of the House desire to agree to a rro so nablc time, within the limitations of to-day's debate .

73: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 73 (House1911.Apr13.73)

Ur . 1\:LU\1N . There is no necessity for an agreement about time. The gentleman has the power at any time to move the previous question on the passage of the resolution , and unc:i.ou b tedJy has the power to carry it. .

74: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 74 (House1911.Apr13.74)

M r. U:t-."'DERWOOD. The gentleman from :Missouri will have to morn the previous qu e stion at the end of an hour . I understand. ho does not desire to take advantage of that right, if tll c ro is a des i re for more debate and opportunity for amendment on that side of the House . If that side of the House want more time they can get it. If not, the gentleman from Missouri can go ahead and use his J..10ur and yield such time us is req uc st ed on that side of the House, and at the end of the hour moYe the previous qucsti Q n, but we do not desire to do that if you will indicate a reaso n able time .

75: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 75 (House1911.Apr13.75)

M r. :MAN N . But the gentleman from Mis s ouri can reserve a mi n ute or more of llis JJour and tnke the floor and move tlle prc­ ·ri ou s qu e stion at any time . Docs the gentleman fTom Missouri pro p ose to g tve any 011portunity for amenclment?

76: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 76 (House1911.Apr13.76)

M r . RUCKER of Mis s ouri. Is <the gentleman addressing his qu es tion to me?

77: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 77 (House1911.Apr13.77)

I\I r . MAI\"'N . To citllcr g entleman; I suppoi: : e the gentleman required. fr o m Mi sso uri is the one to answer.

78: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 78 (House1911.Apr13.78)

1\fr . RUCKER of Mi ss ouri. I will answer the gentleman if llis inquiry is addressed to me. A colloquy has boon going on for s ome time and the gentleman has been using my name fr c ciucntly, and if he desires to ask a question I will answer it. rule . M r. MANN. I n s kctl the gentleman from Missouri the same qu es tion n. while ago .

79: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 79 (House1911.Apr13.79)

l\I r. RUCK E R of Missouri. And the gentleman from Missouri sni u yes. The troub1e about it is that some gentlemen have obje c ted to things here so long and so often that they have become cbr o nic objectors, and are never quite ready to Yotc on any question supposed to confer a power or respond to u uemnud of tbc people.

80: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 80 (House1911.Apr13.80)

Mr . M~~ . Oh, I have heard that so often that it is not new to me .

81: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 81 (House1911.Apr13.81)

Mr . RUCKER of Missomi. And the gentleman will hear it agnin unlc~s he reforms.

82: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 82 (House1911.Apr13.82)

Mr. 1\1.A.NN . The gentleman from Missouri is not likely to reform my methods .

83: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 83 (House1911.Apr13.83)

:Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. I will ask the gentleman from Michigan if he wants two hours of debate on that side, or three, or four, or a day?

84: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 84 (House1911.Apr13.84)

Mr. YOUNG of Michigan . Mr . Speaker , I have had so little opp o opportunity to consult with gentlemen upon this side that it is difficult to know how much time will be consumed ; but in view of tile importance of the matter, and in view of the statements muc1e by the gentleman from .Alabama [.l\Ir . UNDEn.woon], who I suppose spoke by authority, that this matter is going to be concluded to - night, anyway

85: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 85 (House1911.Apr13.85)

1',fr . . UNDERWOOD . I was speaking with the authority of ;the gentleman from Missouri, who has the bill in charge.

86: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 86 (House1911.Apr13.86)

l\Ir . YOUNG of :Michigan (continuing). I will ask for at least four hours' general debate-two hours upon .a side.

87: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 87 (House1911.Apr13.87)

. IUr . RUCKER of l\IissourL l\:Ir . Speaker, if I correctly under s tood the gentleman, I will ask unanimous consent that general debate may proceed on this resolution for four hours-two ho u rs to b e controlled by the gentleman from Michigan and two hours fJy myself .

88: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 88 (House1911.Apr13.88)

M r . 1\1. A. DDEN . Mr. S11eaker, a purlin.mentn.ry inquiry .

89: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 89 (House1911.Apr13.89)

The SPE A KER. The gentleman will state it.

90: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 90 (House1911.Apr13.90)

M r. MADD E N. I wisll to know wllether amendments to the re sc lution will 1.Je in order at any time during the general deba te or wl! et b e r .amendm en ts must be offer e d while the bill is bein g rea. d und er the fin ~ -minut e rule?

91: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 91 (House1911.Apr13.91)

Tbo SP EA K E R. .Amendments are not in order during general debnt c.

93: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 93 (House1911.Apr13.93)

The SP E...1.. KEit . Do c-s tlle g-entlcrua.n from lli::osouri yieJd to tile gcntl e m:in from N ebr n.s lm?

94: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 94 (House1911.Apr13.94)

.i\fr . RU C KI<JR of Mi s souri. I will.

95: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 95 (House1911.Apr13.95)

?tfr . NO UU IS. I wu n t to nsk the gentl e mnn from M i ss ouri if lie will not inclucle in his request some provision about arueaclmeiJ t s? I am not an..~ious to extend the time of debate, but he passage. can just as well i nc l ude in his request that amendments shall be in orde r -0.uring general debate or at tlle close of g e neral debate .

96: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 96 (House1911.Apr13.96)

Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. I have no objection to gentlemen offering such amendments as in their judgment they think proper during the two hours of debate .

97: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 97 (House1911.Apr13.97)

Mr. NORRIS . Suppose the gentleman includes that in his request.

98: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 98 (House1911.Apr13.98)

l\fr . RUCKER of Missouri . I do not think it is necessary a ry to include it in the request .

99: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 99 (House1911.Apr13.99)

Mr . NORRIS . I think it is , from the statement just made by the Speaker, as I understand it.

100: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 100 (House1911.Apr13.100)

Mr . M.ADDE.i..~. Will the gentleman yield?

101: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 101 (House1911.Apr13.101)

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman from Missouri yield to the gentleman from Illinois?

103: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 103 (House1911.Apr13.103)

Mr .. MADDEN . Does not the gentleman from :Missouri think, in view of the statement made by the Speaker to the effect that amendments will not be in order during general debate, that we ought to have some understanding that amendments can be preseated and haye them penclixg, even though they may not be considered until the end of tlle general debate and during the reading of the bill?

104: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 104 (House1911.Apr13.104)

Mr . SULZER. The gentleman can read any amendments lle desires to offer in his own time.

105: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 105 (House1911.Apr13.105)

The SPEAKER. Docs the gentleman from l\lissouri yield to the gentleman from New York?

107: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 107 (House1911.Apr13.107)

l\Ir . SULZER. I desire to say to the gentleman from Illinois that he, or any other Member, can read any amendment he desires to offer in his own time . That is all that should be ~fr. MADDEN. I did not suggest that I wanted to read an amendment, but that I wanted some method suggested by which amendments could be introduced and have tbem pending for consideration whil e the bill was being read under the five-minute

108: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 108 (House1911.Apr13.108)

Mr . JAMES . I would like to ask a question, if the geatlernn.n will yfolcl.

109: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 109 (House1911.Apr13.109)

The SPF.~A . KER . Docs the gentleman froil.1' Missouri yield to the gentleman from Kentucky?

111: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 111 (House1911.Apr13.111)

Mr . JA.BIES . .Mr . Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois seems to be quite noxious to amend this resolution, and I would like to ask him if it is his purpose to support the resolution for the election of Scrultors by a direct vote of the people?

112: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 112 (House1911.Apr13.112)

::lir . MADDEN. Mr. Speaker, I think I may say to the gen ­ t1eITu"lll from Kentucky that I do intend to support the resolu ­ tion, and I am not sure thn.t I want to offer an :imen.dment to it, but I may , :md I desire to lw .. ve that opportunity--

113: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 113 (House1911.Apr13.113)

Mr. RUO~R of Missouri l\.fr . Speaker--

114: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 114 (House1911.Apr13.114)

The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Missouri llas the floor . • .lUr . .l\f.A.DDEN. But, Mr. Speaker, I am answering the question of the gentleman from Kentucky. . .. Mr . MANN . Mr . Speaker, n parliamentary inquiry .

115: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 115 (House1911.Apr13.115)

The SPEAKER . The gentleman will state it.

116: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 116 (House1911.Apr13.116)

lUr. MANN . Mr . Speaker, a few moments ago I understood the Speaker to state, in answer to a parliamentary inquiry of my colleague, that amendments would not be in order by a gentleman wllo obtained the floor in so - called general debate . That rule is undoubtedly true of course as to debate in Committee of the Whole, but this is a House bill on the House Oalendm, and any Member obtaining the floor, ns I recall the rules and precedents, may offer an amendment and have it · voted upon unless a different arrangement is made .

117: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 117 (House1911.Apr13.117)

Tl.J.e SPEAKER. Is the gentleman making n. point of orclcr or propounding a parliamentary inquiry?

118: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 118 (House1911.Apr13.118)

Mr . MANN. Mr. Speaker, I simply call that to the attention of tlle Ohair. I think the Ohair was in error in the statement, evidently llm·ing in mind general debate in Committee of the Wllole.

119: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 119 (House1911.Apr13.119)

l\Ir. RUCKER of l\lissouri. Mr . Spro.ker, I desire to repeat t.hc request for unanimous consent which I made a moment ago. Tl.!c SPEAKER. The gentleman will state his request .

120: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 120 (House1911.Apr13.120)

Hr . RUCKER of Missouri. Mr . Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that general delJ:itc may proceed for four hours, two hou r s of the time to be controlled by the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Yourrn] and two hours by myself, and that during the gen e general debate any gentleman having the floor for the purpose of discussing the matter may offer amendments in his own time, a n <l those amendments will lJe considered as pending ; and at tllc e expiration of four h ours the previous _ question to be con ­ sicl e r e d .as ordered on tlle resolution and all amendments to final

121: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 121 (House1911.Apr13.121)

The SPEAKER. The gentl e man from Missouri asks unanimous consent that general debate proceed on this resolution for four hours, half tlle time to be controlled by himself and the other half by the gentleman from Michigan [i\fr . YouNG]; that during that debate any Member shall be permitted in his own time to offer an amendment and llaye it considered as pending, and that at the end of the four hours the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution and pending amendments.

122: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 122 (House1911.Apr13.122)

l\Ir. IlUCKER of l\Ii s souri. Of course, I suppose it is understood that my request is that the previous question shall !Jc considered as ordered when the general debate ceases, even if it does not run for four hours.

123: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 123 (House1911.Apr13.123)

The SPEAKER. Ce-rtainly . Is there objection? [After a pause.] The Chair hears none, and it is so ordered.

124: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 124 (House1911.Apr13.124)

:Mr . HILL. Mr. Speaker, before the gentleman from Missouri begins-I do not wish to interrupt the gentleman after he House. begins-I desire to say that I voted for a similar resolution some time ago, and have voted for it two or three times; and I want to ask the gentleman from Missouri if he will not, for my benefit and the benefit of others here who have thus voted, kindly explain the difference between this resolution and tllc resolution that was passed in the House the last time the subject was before the House.

125: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 125 (House1911.Apr13.125)

Mr . RUCKER of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I am going to consume but a few minutes' time in the discussion of this question . Some criticism has been made here that we are proceeding with undue haste, and suggestions have also been heard that the report accompanying this r e solution was printed within the last hour or two; that the resolution itself was only introduced during this session of Congress and within the last 10 days .

126: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 126 (House1911.Apr13.126)

l\lr . Speaker, charged with responsibility to faithfully serve a great constituency, on the first day that this House convened, the first hour it was possible to do so, I introduced a resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the election of Senators by a direct Y ote of the people . On the second day of this session this resolution was introduced . Just as soon as the committees of this House were formed I sought to advise members of the committee that this measure would be considered, and invited their attendance upon a meeting of the committee .

127: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 127 (House1911.Apr13.127)

If there is blame to attach because members of the committee which reported this resolution have not had more time for consideration, it is not due to any fault of the committee on committees, which announced the make-up of the Democratic side of all the committees of this House even before the House met, but it is due to the committee on committees on the minor ity side, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr . MANN], who took until last Tuesday, day before yesterday, as I understand, to announce his committees .

128: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 128 (House1911.Apr13.128)

But I am not going to discuss that ; neither will I be drawn into a discussion of the fact that various changes from time to time have appeared in the language employed in these seyeral resolutions which have been introduced . Let me say in a gen 1 eral way all of those resolutions present a similar thought and had a common purpose . They all respond to a sentiment in this Nation which is as wide as the Republic, a sentiment which permeates our :-l untry from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a sentiment which is ~ ompelling Representatives to respond to public will. The deliberate judgment of the people of the United States, of the great mass of the people, demands that we reform the method of electing Senators by changing from a system which has sullied the fair names of States and traduced the character of gentlemen who have sought and won high political honors. The people demand that Senators of the United States who serve them in the highest legislative tribunal in the world shall be elected by a direct vote and shall respona to the will of the people . Gentlemen dilate upon the great constitutional questions involved-and they are great questions-and who aclmo::llsh us to prudence and deliberation, forget that for 20 years or more the people of the United States have compelled obedience to their will in tllis Cllamber and secured the passage of innumerable resolutions through this House.

129: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 129 (House1911.Apr13.129)

There has been gra~e difficulty, I grant, for the people to reach the ear of all public servants . Just as you remove in point of distance a man charged with great responsibilities from the source which gave him power, just to that ex.tent you diminish the opportunity of those who confer the power to get a response to popular appeal to that public servant. We stand with the great rank nnd file of the American people, and demand that this very clay the House shall again go on record in favor of this great reform measure, pledged in platforms and adyocated by leading spirits in all political parties . I trust the House of Representatives will again, and on this clay, send greetings to the American people that we yield to their desires and cheerfully respond to their demands by sending to the Senate of the United States a resolution providing for an amendment to the Constitution of the United States by which the people will be able to vote directly for United States Senators . As to the form of tlle resolution, I d e sire to state that according to my information the pending resolution has received more consideration in another body, has IJeen more deliberately, dispassionately, and intelligently discussed there than any other resoluti o n on this subject eyer submitted to either House of Congrei;s, and that - by rea s on of and on account of the fact that this identical resolution was fully and ably discussed in tha t body during the last session, and because it secured such a large support there, a support which will be augmented , I IJe ­ Iie,-e, by others who are now MemlJers of that body, thus making the passage of this resolution an assured fact, your committee has accepted it and recommended its adoption by the For these reasons largely, and because of its own merits, we ha1e seen fit to report here in identical words the resolution reported by the Senate Committee on Judiciary during the las t session of Congress. Mr . Speaker, the last time this resolution , or a similar resolution, passed this House-

130: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 130 (House1911.Apr13.130)

Mr . RAKER. Mr . Speaker, I would like to know whether there is any possibility of gentlemen on this side having an op ­ portunity to hear what is going on in this Hall?

131: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 131 (House1911.Apr13.131)

The SPEAKER. The gentleman from California makes the point of order that the House is not in order . The point is wC'll taken . Gentlemen upon this side of the Hall have a right t o hear the debate, and those who desire to converse will please retire to the cloakroom .

132: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 132 (House1911.Apr13.132)

Mr. IlAKER. Mr. Speaker, before the gentleman from l\lissouri begins, I want to say this--

133: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 133 (House1911.Apr13.133)

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman fr o m Missouri yield t o the gentleman from California?

134: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 134 (House1911.Apr13.134)

Mr . IlUCKER of Missouri. The speech the gentleman is go ­ ing to make is a good one , but I can not yield right now.

135: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 135 (House1911.Apr13.135)

Mr . RAKER. I nm not going to take up any time, but it seems this part of the Hall here--

136: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 136 (House1911.Apr13.136)

The SPEAKER. The gentleman from California is not in order.

137: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 137 (House1911.Apr13.137)

Mr. RAKER. But the gentleman yielded .

138: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 138 (House1911.Apr13.138)

The SPEAKER. No; the gentleman refused to yie1d .

139: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 139 (House1911.Apr13.139)

Mr. RUCKER of Missouri. Mr . Speaker, the into time a resolution similar to this passed this House it passed nnd~ suspension of the rules and was declared to have reccivec.1 twothircls of all the votes cast, but, as a matter of fact, it received about seven-eighths of all the votes .

140: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 140 (House1911.Apr13.140)

Before that, and only a few years ago, a similar resolution passed the House, and my recollection is that on a viva voce vote there was not a single vote cast against its passage. In other words, I believe that for the last 15 or 20 years rmblic sentiment has been crystallizing around this great question, a question so important, I think, to the future of this great Republic that gentlemen here will gladly re s pond to public \Yill and to their conception of duty and vote this resolution up to the other end of this Capitol.

141: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 141 (House1911.Apr13.141)

Believing that this measure will receive practically unanimous support, and believing that every gentleman here on both sid.es of this Hall who is really in favor of this great reform, who really wants to see the Constitution amended as proposed, will vote down every amendment offered, either by gentlemen on that side or by gentlemen on this, I now ask the gentleman from Michigan [Mr . YouNa] to consume a part of his time, and . I re s enc tlle balance of my own .

142: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 142 (House1911.Apr13.142)

l\Ir. YOU.rTG of Michigan. l\Ir. Speaker , it is not my purpo s e to consume ycry much of the time of the Hon s e upon this pro110 - sition. This House has on several occasions passed joint res ­ lutions in favor of the election of United States Senators by n direct vote of the people. I take it that the sentiment upon that question is overwhelmingly in favor of the proposition on both sides of this Chamber. And it is not any part of my purpose to oppose that feature of this re s olution .

143: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 143 (House1911.Apr13.143)

At the last session of Congress, as I recollect it, a resolution in favor of election of Members of the Senate by the direct vote of the people was passed in this body without a division . But , sir, this resolution goes much further than that, and · I wi s h the House to know exactly what they are doing when they vote upon this resolution. The gentleman from Missouri [Mr . Rucker] has said that this resolution is the same as that wllich was reported to the Senate by Senator BoRAII Inst winter, but he has omitted to say that it is a very different proposition from that which was finally submitted to the Senate and u11on which tlle final vote was taken. 'l'llis resolution provides for an amendment of section 4 of Article I, paragraph 1, of the Constitution . That has nothing to do directly with the q uestio n of whether the people should themselves vote for Members of the Senate or whether they should be chosen by the State legislatures. .

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144: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 144 (House1911.Apr13.144)

.Mr. JA~fEJS . Mr . Speaker, will the gentleman yield for a question?

145: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 145 (House1911.Apr13.145)

Tlle SPE.A..KER. Does the gentleman from . l\iichignn yield No. 1 . " to tJie gentlem::m from Kentucky?

147: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 147 (House1911.Apr13.147)

Mr . JAMES . The gentleman lllis stated that this resolu­ from Iowa? tion· as now proposed is not the same one that was voted upon in the Senate .

149: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 149 (House1911.Apr13.149)

. Mr. JAMES . Now, tlrnt is true; but is not this the same resolution that was reported by tile Judiciary Committee of the Senate before it was amended there?

150: House, April 13, 1911, ¶ 150 (House1911.Apr13.150)

Mr. YOUNG of :Michigan. The gentleman from Missouri [Mr. RccKE:R] has already said that, and I h:rre said that.

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