Mr. WILLIA'.IS. I hope that that amendmentwill not be adopted, because [think that the viva vocc mode of voting in a representative body is the correct mode. It generally obtains in the western States, and for the reaI.sons that have been stated by the chairman of the ComJudiciary. There is no doubt in my mind that the constituents of a member of the Legislative Assembly ouflht to know how he votes upon the question offlic election of a U.S. Senator; because a member of the Legislature is generally chosen, when an election of that kind is pending, as much with, reference to that approaching election as to any other ucsiion; and certainly there is no question 0 greater magnitude thatean be presented to the people of a State. Members of the Legislative i ssembly are frequently instructed by their constituents as to how they shall vote in the choice of a Senator, and I think those constituents have a right to know as to whether or not that representative obeys those instructions. Ifvoting yballotis adopted they will not knowwhetherhe does or does not comply with their wishes. I understand that it is the duty of a representative in the choice of a U.S. Senator as much, if possible, to carry out the will of his constituents as it is in the enactment of any law. Certainly upon all questions of legislation the constituents have a right to know the action of a member and no State Legislature can possibly enact a law that is of more consequence, not only to the State but to the whole country, than the election of n U.S. Senator. I think that voting in a representative capacity is altogether different from voting in a primary capacity, although in the State which I in part represent here the viva new mode of voting prevails at the polls. All our voting is viva. vocc; and so far as I have been able to judge between that mode and any other mode that is quite as good, if not preferable. I think, therefore, that this mode is preferable on that account. Then, again, as has been suggested, it avoids any fraud. There is nopossibility of committing any fraud in the election of a U.S. Senator when every man is required to vote viva once when his name is called. when he is required openly and phblicly to designate his choice for that office; and in a body consisting of comparatively a few persons, numbering, perhaps, from 25 to 100 or 200, or 400 perhaps in some of the States, there is more or less danger, where the struggle is severe between as pirants, that fraud in some way may be committed unless every guard is adopted to prevent anything of that kind. This will tend to prevent corruption. Members of the Legislative Assembly, knowing the wishes of their constitquents, if they are bound to vote viva case, will carry out the wishes of their constituents as far as they can; but if they vote by ballot, and if they are approachable by improper means, they may profess publicly to carry out the wishes of those by whom they are elected, and at the same time they may vote contrary to the wishes and the interests of their constituents; and in that way there may be more or less ofcorru'ption introduced into the election of a U.S. Senator. These elections are not as free from improper influence as they ought to be. It is altogether more easy to influence a body of 100 men by improper means than it is to influence the entire constituency of any man; and the smaller the number, the easier it is to bring these improper influences to bear. These in fluences are of various kinds and descriptions. So long as the representative is required to vote openly and publicly, everybody can deter mine from that vote asto whether he is honest, as to whether he is trying to carry out the will of his constituents, or as to whether he is actu ated and controlled by improper motives in his official conduct. I do not see that there can be any objection this mode of voting. None has been suggested, none can be suggested. as it seems to me; and no reason is iven for this amendment that I have heard. have not heard all that has been said, except that in some States the other mode has prevailed. The Constitution of the U.S. contemplates that congress shall fix the time and the manner of the election of Senators, and it is as important in these elections to provide the manner as it is the time of the election. Ifthe time simplyis fixed, and no regulation made as to the manner, it opens a door through which persons who are so disposed may possibly defeat an election. In every point of view it eems to me that the bill reported by the ComJudiciary is a good one so far as this part is concerned, and ought to be adopted.