On this day in history, 111 years ago today,

THIS DAY IN HISTORY
APRIL 8th 1913

On this day in history, 111 years ago today, the 17th amendment was ratified. Under our
constitution, United State senators were chosen by the state legislators. On this day a new way for
senate seats to be filled came into being. With the ratification of this amendment United State senators
began to be elected by a popular vote.
Not long after winning the Revolutionary war our founding fathers were looking to reshape our
government. The Articles of Confederation were not working like they had hoped. After many days of
debate and compromise we got the Constitution of the United States of America. A Republic, a
government with elected officials. To quote Abraham Lincoln, a government that was, “Of the people,
by the people, and for the people.”
Under the original constitution our U. S. senators were not elected by the people. Our senators
were chosen by state legislators. This was done, among other reasons, to maintain stronger ties
between state and federal governments. Although our founding fathers reasons were pure in the
beginning it did not take long for corruption to seep in to the appointment of the senators. Senate seats
could take months to be filled because of dead locked state legislators. When the seats were filled it
was sometimes for political favors instead of merit. The senate was even termed the “millionaire club.”
This part of congress was seen to be serving private interests rather than representing the people.
After decades of persistence a new law was passed. Then on April 8th 1913, 111 years ago
today, the senate seats were up for public election. The