Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-07-22
4. =. Senator.

The Legislature which Is to elect a L.
5. Senator for fail term, is soon 10 be
selected by nominating Conventions, and
we fully agree with the Somerset Report
or that ii is right and proper that Rcpubli-
cans should know how those desiring
nominations TO the Legislature will vote
on that matter" The people, very gen
orally, have decided preferences As TO the
man TO be selected for this important
place. but their views are not always car
ried out by those whom they cutrust with
the duty of giving expression TO them.
1t has been the custom, too frequently,
10 make nominations in representative
districts with reference, on the pant OF 4
few interested parties, TO = certain man
for L ). Senator, while the masses not
in the secret, accept the man brought tor
ward for legislative nomination upon
other grounds Ii he is man standing
well on common questions. and not OBJ
noxiouS. personally, it is sufficient. aliho'
he may not represent the sentiments OF 4
tenth part OF his constituency on 80 inn
portSut question Is TIE selection OF q
L. ). Senator, There Is but one way OF
securing the enactment; OF the will Of the
people, in the matter, and thai l., by itJ-
Strt,ctio1. I the nominating Caucus. liza
candidate for a legislative position, is I'M
willing to receive Instructions from his
constituents, let him Decline the nomiua
tion-,herc are 4 pic&ty who viii serve
and carry OF, the wishes of the people.
On some questions, arising in legislation,
we would leave the representative IN
trammeled. lie has discretionary pow
crs and must act upon his own Judgment,
but the reprcSsaiI,jrt character which he
occupies should hot be lost sigh, Of,
when his constituents SEE lit 20 express
their views by majority vote in 4 col
lyc;iyc public capacity There i nothing
in this view of The respective rights Of
conSti,ucu; and representative, dcrog tory
TO the mos; exalted view Of independence
ON the part Of The representative Why
is one man delegated to act for othcrs2
Simply because az cannot act Nom;
mated 10 place OF trust 10y par;izauS Of
= pa: ocular party, he owes fcaliy to that
party on q;esti5us Of party policy, and
he should be bound 10y The o.yJrity oic
OF his pay,izan constituents, upon II,
party questions. OF resign. All reasona-
ble, iair men, having no persona! objects
IN view. Will assent to these views
1t may be urged, that - far Is the rep
rcSentali,c districts are concerned, an eN-
preston OF the Caucus 10 nominate =
representative 10 Tue legislature. where it
is lett for the townto nominate whose right
it IS to send, would be an expression of but
:, small potion OF the disiri,t-which j.
truc-bu. the rc>, OF the district can eN-
press their wiShe~ in similar manner, il
they choose to. before OF after the election
aEG Tie representative eject l. bound 10
reg;Ud al such expires iOns. Otherwise.
the theory Of our representative govern
mont i>mcorrect.
II the people have decided convictions,
then, on The Senator question, and have
their preferences among the candidates
Tor the position let them give expression
to their views by instructions, and their
will may be carried out. Otherwise. We
may witness more OF thoss unpleasant
wraugles At Augusta, where bargaining
and personal solicitation are brought TO
bear upon the LeSisIatu Z to such IN ex-
tent as to impcIiI private honor and des-
troy sc.l-respect.