Actually I read an argument about this the other day. It was based on the premise that the Senate would have more responsibility to the State than to their own popular reelection.
They would have to think about how their actions affected the state. They would not have to be beholden to the special interests in Washington...but rather the special interests of their own homes and the impact of their actions on the states.
Kind of made sense.
There’s nothing wrong with the premise or argument in theory, the problem is with what happens with the reality when it is implemented. The high-mindedness would simply not materialize and was largely gone by the time of the 17th.