The Shasta courier., 1854-02-18
The Senatorial ELECTION.

that timeit will OF course be finally settled. Up
to the present, this question. so premaiurely and
improperly iRtroduced, has entered in some man.
ner into alm9st every proposition presented for
the action ef legislators. Its injurious effects
upon Legitimate Legislation may be gathered
from the fact that, although the Legislature has
now been in session nearly fifty days. at an ex-
pense OF between one and two ,llousai:d dollars
per day, scarcely law of any importance has
been passed. Indeed the most important pro
position yet before the Legisature--cmoval OF
the State Capital-as admitted by themselves,
was defeated by the friends of the Senatorial
election. Every one then, we think, must see
tile Importance OF promptly disposing of this
timeconsuming, Understanding question.
We stated in our last issue that legislative
cancuses had been held. both by democratic
members opposing and tavoring the ordering
on" the election of Z. s. Senator the present
session The first caucus. called by majority
of the democratic members in both Houses, was
attended by fifty-three members. and determin-
ed favorable to the movement by rote of 45 to
8. Our members amoug the number COR
stituting this body, and undoubtedly reflected
the unanimous sentiment of their constituency,
by opposing the proposition to bring about the
election during the present session. They were, ,
however, as above stated overruled by "A vote
of 45 to 8, But as each member signing the
call for caucus, had pledged himself 9 to abide
by and give his support to, such order and de-
cision. as the majority of said cancus mi ght make
in the matter" they will now feel themselves
bound TO support the action of the caucus 1t is
useless to repeat after the position we have
heretofore assumed in the discussion of this
question, that we earnestly regret this state Of
things. We regret it, because we have never
known an instance where people were so per-
fect'y united in opposition to any particular
measure, are the people of Shasta in opposi-
ton to the election of U. S. Senator this winter
We have made extensive enquiries in regard to
the matter, have spoken to gentlemen from
every section Of the County. and, astonishing as
it may seem, have not found one single individ-
nal who either himself in favor of the elec-
ton or knew of person that was.
The question then arises, are our members in
honor bound, provided they are satisfied that
public opinion in this county is such as we rep
resent it, to keep the pledge given when signing
the call referred to We honestly think not.
They not bound to do so in the first place. be-
cause they, as representatives, have no right to
sign away prerogative of their constituents,
the people. The people have right TO be heard
in the matter of the election of a U. s. Senator
The present representatives We're not chosen
with view to the election of T. S. Senator this
session. Their constituents of all parties are op-
posed to it. Therefore, in voting for ordering
on" the election at this session. they would tran
scend the powers granted them in their election.
And hence, it is clear, they are not bound to
keep the pledge referred to.
In the second place, they are under no obliga-
tion to abide by the ordering" of the caucus.
because it not such as is recognised by party
usage 1t is party usage to settle questions by
caucus, respecting men, but not where measures
alone are concerned. ItwoulG indeed be new
feature in legislation, for parties in our legisla
tive halls, to determine by caucus, whether
particular bill should become law or not. II
such a rule should obtain, then any measure,
however odious, might be passed, provided forty
six democratic voters (being majority of demo-
cratic members, were found favorable to it, In
this way the will of the people might be defeat
ed all the time.
In short, according to our notions of democ-
racy, Legislators are under obligations to vo-
late the wishes of those whose representatives
they are, under any circumstances. If then
our representatives are informed, in a proper
manner, of the wishes of the people of this Coun-
ty and district touching this matter, we do not
doubt for moment what their action will be on
the 9th of March