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.The num- ators, which seemed undemocratic,ber of representatives in each state began to be seriously questioned byis dependent upon that state s popu- the American public.Progressivelation, meaning that states with leaders argued for reform in all as-large populations have more repre- pects of government, which includedsentatives than states with small pop- allowing citizens to have greaterulations.Each state also has two participation in their government. Seventeenth Amendment (1913) 63*'Progressives argued that state legisla- supported direct election of sena -tures were often controlled by cor- tors by the electorate.Every year,rupt leaders who looked out for their from 1893 to 1902, a constitutionalown interests and did not represent amendment to elect senators bythe best interests of the people.Some- popular vote was proposed in Con-times, state legislatures could not gress, but most members of the Sen-agree upon a candidate, resulting in ate rejected it.no Senate appointments at all.Investigative journalists, nick-Progressive Republican senators named muckrakers by PresidentRobert La Follette of Wisconsin and Theodore Roosevelt (1901 1909) be-George Norris of Nebraska strongly cause of their role in digging up theElecting Our Senatorsn 1913, the Seventeenth Amend- for six years; and each Sena-Iment was added to the U.S.Consti- tor shall have one vote.Thetution.During the Progressive Era of electors in each State shallthe early 1900s, it was one of a num- have the qualifications requi-ber of amendments added to the site for electors of the mostConstitution to improve the social numerous branch of the Stateand political aspects of American legislatures.society and give more rights to When vacancies happen inSAmerican citizens.the representation of anyThe Seventeenth Amendment State in the Senate, theallows for direct election of sena- executive authority of eachtors by the people of a state rather State shall issue writs ofthan by state legislatures.It re- election to fill such vacancies:placed the phrase chosen by the Provided, That the legislatureLegislature thereof with elected of any State may empowerby the people thereof in the first the executive thereof to makeparagraph of Article I, Section 3, of temporary appointmentsthe Constitution.The Seventeenth until the people fill theAmendment also allows the gover- vacancies by election as thenor of each state to appoint a sena- legislature may direct.tor if an opening occurs, until an This amendment shall notelection can take place.be so construed as to affectThe Senate of the United the election or term of anyStates shall be composed of Senator chosen before ittwo Senators from each State, becomes valid as part of theelected by the people thereof, Constitution. 64 Seventeenth Amendment (1913)*' muck, or dirt, of American society, Seventeenth Amendment in Aprilalso tried to influence the direct elec- 1913, giving the amendment the re-tion of senators.In 1906, muckraking quired three-fourths majority neces-journalist David Graham Phillips sary to be added to the Constitution.(1867 1911) wrote a series of arti- The following year, all elections forsenator were held by popular vote.cles for Cosmopolitan magazinecalled The Treason of the Senate, inSee also: La Follete, Robert; Muckrak-which senators were portrayed asers; Norris, George W.taking bribes from industrialists andfinanciers.It was this article that ledto President Roosevelt publicly de-Sherman Antitrustnouncing muckrakers in a speech,Act (1890)but there was no denying their influ-The first law passed by the U.S.Con-ence on the American public.gress to prohibit abusive trusts andBefore ratification of the Seven-monopolies.In 1890, a Republicanteenth Amendment, however, manysenator from Ohio, John Sherman, in-states had changed their own laws sotroduced an antitrust bill into Con-that voters had more influence overgress.Speaking against monopolies,the selection of senators.Voters par-Sherman noted that these powerfulticipating in primary elections des-companies:ignated their preference for one ofthe parties candidates for a senato-.control the market, raise orrial seat.Usually, the state legislatureslower prices, as will best pro-supported the people s preference.mote its selfish interests, reduceBy 1912, 29 states were nominatingprices in a particular locality andsenators on some type of popularbreak down competition and ad-basis.In 1911, Senator Joseph Bris-vance prices at will where com-tow from Kansas proposed an amend-petition does not exist.Thement to the Constitution.Thoselaw of selfishness, uncontrolledsenators who had been chosen onlyby competition, compels it toby their respective state legislaturesdisregard the interest of thefought against the bill.Ultimately,consumer.however, the majority of the SenateDEMANDS FOR REGULATIONapproved the bill because of the voteDuring the last quarter of the nine-of those senators who had been cho-teenth century, many industries ironsen by the state legislatures with theand steel, oil, farm machinery, flour,guidance of the preference system.sugar, and meat, for example grewRATIFICATIONbigger, organized into corporations,After the Senate passed the bill, theand merged.Some of the most aggres-House passed it in the summer of sive entrepreneurs, such as John D.1912.Finally it was sent to the Rockefeller in oil refining, managedstates for ratification.Connecticut to establish monopolies or nearbecame the 36th state to ratify the monopolies.In 1880, Rockefeller s Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) 65*'Standard Oil Trust controlled more the big corporations because theythan 90 percent of the oil refining in were able to control wages andthe country.In fact, the trend in al- prices [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]