Prior to 1913 was elected directly by the public

Answer: In 1913 was created the 17th Amendment, that allowed voters to cast direct votes for U. S. Senators.

Since it came into force 230 years ago, the US Constitution has been amended only 27 times. The most recent change took place in 1992. The original text consisted of seven articles, which determine the division of government into three powers and define the concepts of federalism, describing the rights and laws of state use in relation to the federal government.