It has certainly accomplished a great deal by preventing various objectionable devices, which prior to its enactment had marked the proceedings of every senatorial election where the Legislature was almost equally divided between political parties.

The reluctance to interfere with the supposed or asserted rights of States had too long delayed the needful exercise of National power.

The Constitution provides that "the times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives in Congress shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; _but the Congress may, at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators._" There was a reluctance in the early administration of the Federal Government to assume any function which had been given alternatively to the States.

It thus came to pass that many methods were developed in different States for choosing senators,--methods that widely differed in their essential characteristics.

Hence there was variety, and even contrariety, where there should have been only unity and harmony.