Yes, when the members of the House were expected to be honorable men. Do you want Maxine Waters and Henry Waxman picking Senators for CA?
Maxine Waters wouldn't be doing it. It would be the state legislators' job (who generally are more conservative than national politicians) and one thing you just about guarantee is that with so many state politicians wanting the job, one or two terms is all that you are going to spend as a US Senator. Also, there are currently more states' legislatures controlled or split by the GOP to easily swing the balance to the Republicans.