But they can be regulated, and with proper vigilance they can be kept from commanding and controlling absolutely this nation, which sees the birth of their great development. ---- We believe that the most pressing public duty at present is the reorganization of the Senate of the United States on the basis of popular election. It has been said truthfully: "You cannot indict an entire people," and, fortunately for us, it may truthfully be said, "You cannot PURCHASE an entire people." The trusts of the United States base their hopes of continued and growing power upon the United States Senate. The trusts own absolutely many United States Senators. Of those Senators whom the trusts do not own, many are deeply interested in the trusts, which is the same thing as though the trusts did own them. Under the present system, the public elects State Legislatures, and these Legislatures choose the United States Senators. If a trust can buy the Legislature--which, as we all know, it usually can--the trust can control the Senatorial representatives of the State. The State of New York in the National Congress at Washington is represented by thirty-four Congressmen and two Senators. The thirty-four Congressmen are elected by the people and two Senators are chosen by the trusts. And with these two Senators the trusts can absolutely veto every bill passed by the thirty-four Representatives elected by the people. Does anybody believe that Mr. Depew and Mr. Platt could possibly have been elected to the United States Senate by the PEOPLE of the State of New York? Does anybody question the outrageousness of a system which forces upon the people as representatives two Senators whom they would not have chosen and whom they actually believe to be inimical to their interests? This condition prevails practically throughout the Union. The upper house of our National Legislature is the real ruling power in the United States. It controls all of the President's appointments. According to the Constitution, he is compelled to appoint "by and with the advice and consent of the Senate." The trusts buy the Legislatures, they own the Senators, and therefore the Constitution of the United States now reads practically as follows: "The President appoints national officers by and with the advice and consent of the trusts." As an American voter, you have no more important duty than to work for the election of Senators by the people. You should not tolerate the selection of Judges of the Supreme Court, United States Ambassadors, Federal Judges throughout the country, and all the great executive forces subject to the approval of the trusts that notoriously make, break and destroy laws. A small trust can buy the Legislature of the State of New York. But the biggest trust can scarcely buy New York's six million inhabitants. And, thanks to our secret voting system, we are protected even against ourselves and our own selfishness.