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| Chancey M. Depew. |
Cortland Evening Standard, April 30, 1900.
ELECTION TO SENATE.
Demand For Choice by Direct Vote of the People.
NO ACTION LIKELY THIS SESSION.
A Change Might Bring About Proportional Representation—Vote of Three-fourths of the States Required to Change Constitution.
WASHINGTON, April 30.—[Special.]—The election of senators by direct vote of the people is a subject which is continually agitated, and from time to time the house passes a resolution providing for an amendment to the constitution to bring about that result. Such a resolution must pass the senate by a two-thirds vote, and there is not even a majority of the senate in favor of the change, so that it is impossible for the resolution to get farther than through the house. There is quite a demand in many sections of the country for this change, and 34 of the 45 states through their legislatures have asked for it. In some states the demand has become so great that not only members of the house, but the senators as well are unanimous for the change. Recent senatorial elections, the failure of some legislatures to elect and the absolute certainty in such cases that appointees of governors will not be seated seem to make a change desirable, and for this reason more life is given to the proposition than heretofore. For the present it will end in discussion, probably some speeches being made by senators, but it is doubtful if a vote is reached on the proposition at this session.
What It Might Lead To.
"I have seen it suggested," said Senator Depew, "that in case the senate did not act upon the proposition for the election of senators by direct vote of the people there should be a convention called to revise the constitution. I wonder it never occurs to those who are making the suggestion that if such a convention should be called it would necessarily be representative in character and that the big states would control. Of course it was well understood when the constitution was formed that the states were to have equal representation in the senate, and this representation was to be reserved to the states by having the election of senators by the [state] legislatures. Now if that part were to be changed and senators were elected by the people, becoming representatives of the people rather than the states, is it not entirely probable that the big states would demand that the senators should be apportioned according to population and the people of the states have not only the right to vote for senators, but have their votes when so cast count for as much as the votes of the people in the smaller states? It seems to me that the larger states would insist upon the right and, having so much larger representation in the convention than the smaller states, would be able to carry it through."
As One to Four.
"It will be remembered," continued Senator Depew, "that when the silver repeal was under consideration there was a great clamor made because the senators from the silver states were preventing the passage of that bill. Time after time it was asserted that senators representing less than one-fourth the population were holding up legislation which was favored by senators representing more than three-fourths of the population. Comparisons would be made between New York, with more than 6,000,000 people, and Nevada, with about 45,000, each equal in the senate, and it would be pointed out that the vote of one man in Nevada as now represented in the senate was equal to 133 in New York. The larger states would demand equalization if there was to be a revision. We would probably see a change allowing each state one senator and others in proportion to their population. The result would be a senate of about 150 members, in which the smaller states would have one senator and the larger states such representation as they now have in the house."
End is Nothing.
Senator Depew did not continue his argument to its logical sequence, which is that any action looking to a constitutional convention for the purpose of revising the constitution on the subject of the election of United States senators, coupled with the proposition to change the representation in the senate, would mean that nothing would be done. The constitution provides, among other things, that it can be changed only by a vote of three-fourths of the states. The smaller states would be strong enough now, as they were when the constitution was formed, to prevent any action which would reduce their representation in the senate, and if the two propositions were coupled together the whole would fail. Of course it is quite likely that three-fourths of the states might vote for the election of senators by direct vote, but at the same time the senate will not consent to it, and the matter can never be brought before the people unless two-thirds of the senate is willing. The idea, as I understand it, for a constitutional convention, to which Senator Depew alluded, is one to be called by the people themselves, without waiting for any action by congress, and that the remodeled constitution, or that portion of it providing for the election of senators by direct vote, is to be presented in such a manner as to make it imperative upon the senate to accept it. Probably those who are urging this have not thought of the matter in the other light, which would mean its defeat.—ARTHUR W. DUNN.
CONGRESS FORECAST.
House Takes Up Nicaraguan Canal Bill.
TO BE FEATURE OF THE WEEK.
Democratic Resentment Aroused Because of Elimination of Section Relative to Canal Fortification—Free Homes Bill and War Claims—In the Senate.
WASHINGTON. April 30.—The feature of the week in the house will be the Nicaraguan bill, which will be considered tomorrow and Wednesday. The elimination of the section relative to the fortification of the canal removes the objections entertained to it by the friends of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, but because of that very fact the resentment of some of the Democrats has been aroused, The bill, however, doubtless will command a very large majority when it comes to a vote.
Thursday will be given up to the consideration of the "free homes" bill, and Friday to war claims. Today is District of Columbia day.
Forecast of Senate.
So far as can be now foreseen the week will be given up largely to the Alaska code bill and to appropriation bills in the senate. Senator Hawley, chairman of the committee on military affairs, has given notice that he will call up the army appropriation, and when this bill is disposed of it is probable that the fortifications bill will be taken up. There will be an effort to secure final disposition of the Alaskan bill, but as there is almost as much opposition to the Carter amendment as there was to the amendment suggested by Senator Hansbrough, it is impossible to say whether the effort will succeed.
Senator Chandler on Wednesday will ask consideration of the resolution in the case of Senator Clark of Montana but there will be a request for more time to read the testimony and the case probably will go over for at least several days.
On Thursday the senate will listen to eulogies on the late Representative Baird of Louisiana.
GROSVENOR'S PREDICTIONS.
Says McKinley Will Be Elected With Thirty-six Electoral Votes to Spare.
NEW YORK, April 30.—Gen. Charles H. Grosvenor of Ohio, who made a reputation as a political prophet in 1896 while acting as the statistician of the McKinley campaign, says a Washington dispatch to The World, claims thirty-six electoral votes more than necessary to re-elect Mr. McKinley or just the number cast by New York.
General Grosvenor gives to Mr. McKinley California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
To Mr. Bryan he gives Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
Real Estate Deal.
Theodore Stevenson, the real estate dealer, to-day concluded an arrangement by which Robert Bushby sells his fine house and lot, 45 N. Main-st., Cortland, to Andrew S. Manning of Auburn, who will take possession soon. Mr. Manning is the president of the Climax Road Machine Co. of Marathon and wishes to be nearer the factory, though preferring to live in a larger place than Marathon. Mr. Bushby does not anticipate leaving Cortland for the present at least.
INGERSOLL ARRESTED.
Defaulting Treasurer of Tompkins County Found in San Francisco.
A few days ago a cable from London announced the arrest in that city of one who had just landed from a cattleship from the United States and who was alleged to be Charles Ingersoll [pdf, scroll down for bio--Ed.], the defaulting treasurer of Tompkins county. The prisoner denied that he was Ingersoll and said that he was James M'Connell of Baltimore, Md., and that he had never been in Ithaca. But private detectives had been assured that Ingersoll had sailed on the Montana and had extradition papers all made out for him when the steamer should arrive and Ingersoll should be arrested. These papers have already been sent on to London.
Now comes the news from San Francisco that Charles Ingersoll of Ithaca, N. Y., was arrested there Sunday on the charge of embezzling $1,500 of public funds belonging to Tompkins county, N. Y., of which he was treasurer.
Ingersoll admits his identity and says he is willing to return without the necessity of extradition papers. He says he took the money to tide over a temporary financial embarrassment and if he had only been courageous enough to tell his friends he would not have been compelled to take refuge in flight. He is extremely nervous and says he has been almost crazy since December. He says all the money he took with him when he fled in December was $255. When searched at the city prison be had a $1.50 in his possession.
W. C. T. U. Meeting.
A regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held on Tuesday, May 1, at 2:45 P.M. Devotionals will be led by Mrs. R. J. Lucas, followed by the usual business meeting. The program will be furnished by the superintendent of the fruit and flower work, Mrs. Lucy Colver. At this time any garments for women or children whether out of repair or not, as well as any useful article for the kitchen, will be most thankfully received for the Anchorage at Elmira.
Committee Appointed.
Mr. Oria J. Bays, a nephew of William and Mary Bays who recently were adjudged insane and incompetent, has been appointed a committee of one to have charge both of the person and property of these two unfortunate people. An auction sale of their personal property will be held at Virgil Wednesday of this week. They will, in all probabilities, be committed to the state hospital at Binghamton.
For Hunters and Fishermen.
All sportsmen will be interested in a very handsome little brochure issued by the Lackawanna railroad giving information about the choice streams for fishing and the proper places for hunting along the lines of that well known and popular railroad. It is profusely illustrated and handsomely gotten up, and affords interesting reading even if one is not about to take gun and rod and start out. Apply to the local agent for copy of it.
DEATH OF MRS. ELIZA JONES.
For a Number of Years she was Superintendent of the King's Daughters.
Mrs. Eliza Jones, widow of the late Lyman Jones, died at her home, 50 North Main-st., yesterday afternoon after an Illness of about two months' duration.
Mrs. Jones was born in Virgil, N. Y., in 1842, and was one of two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bouton. Thirty-three years ago last March she married Lyman Jones, who died nearly three years ago, after having lived in Cortland over twenty years. Mrs. Jones is survived by her aged mother and by her sister Mrs. H. V. Jameson. Her father died in 1889, and his death was the first in a family that had remained intact for over fifty years.
Mrs. Jones has been connected with various organizations and societies here, but her work with the King's Daughters has been, of late years at least, the most in evidence. She was a charter member of the local chapter of this organization and her work formerly as its president and later, and till her death as the superintendent of local charities, has been ever helpful. The demands on her time and strength have been great, yet she never seemed to think of these and the work was always done under her personal investigation. She had no children of her own, yet to many of poverty's children she was mother indeed, and by these little ones she will be most sadly missed.
The funeral will be held to-morrow from the house at 2 o'clock P. M., and at the First Baptist church at 2:30.
A MILK BOYCOTT.
Producers Refuse to Submit to Tuberculin Test.
Syracuse is likely to have a milk famine. The health officials have refused to permit milk to be sold in the city except the cows producing it have had the tuberculin test applied to them. The producers have met and agreed not to permit it to be done, as they declare that it is not sufficient and not a satisfactory test and doesn't prove anything any way. The result is that no milk is likely to be delivered in the city to-morrow as both sides are very firm. Grocers are stocking up with condensed milk in preparation for a great demand for it. Parents of young children are in much distress to know what to do.
BREVITIES.
—The April showers have come along on the last day of the month.
—The regular meeting of Grover Relief Corps, No 96, will occur to-morrow, May 1, at 8 o'clock.
—The Dunfee theatre in South Clinton-st., Syracuse, was destroyed by fire at 2 o'clock this morning. Loss $10,000.
—All members of the Loyal circle of King's Daughters are requested to meet at the Cortland House to-morrow at 1:45 P. M. to attend the funeral services of Mrs. Eliza Jones.
—The Brotherhood of St. Andrew of the Homer-ave. M. E. church was represented yesterday afternoon at the Y. M. C. A. rooms by Rev. W. H. Robertson who gave a very helpful talk at the 4 o'clock meeting.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Bingham & Miller, Sack coats, page 7; Burgess, Hats, page 8; Stowell, Sale ends May 12, page 7; F. D. Smith, Poultry netting, page 6; Model Clothing Co., Clothing, page 4.
—This is the last day of grace for bicyclists who have not already made preparations for complying with the bicycle ordinance. To-morrow the police will begin a vigorous enforcement of the act. Every wheel must be provided with a bell, and in the evening must have a lantern.
—Fire ran through the woods of Mr. W. R. Randall on South Hill all day Sunday, and a great volume of smoke arose. In the evening the blaze was plainly visible and lighted up the sky to a considerable extent. No great damage was done, as it was chiefly leaves and dead limbs that was burned.
—Employees of the Traction company, particularly those upon the McGraw division are greatly interested in the proposed consolidation of the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. and the Traction company and the motormen on the McGraw car were speculating yesterday as to how long it would be before their trips to and from the Corset City would be made partly over the tracks of the steam road.
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