Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-19
WORCESTER
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1871
Leal.Inli,c Nominalion..


Nominations for the state senate are now
made daily, and in the representative districts
the choice of candidates will be determined dur
ing the next fortnight These are the nomina-
lions ON which more depends than on any 9th
ers. The governor has an honorable and re-
sponsihle office. 1t importantithat he should
be j man ofdignity, frmuess and independence
II would be disgraceiul il we should have for
our chief magistrate a demagogue or a facile,
compliant man, the ready tool Of intrguers or
mischief makers. We are to have a governor
this wear, as We have had for many years, whom
everybody can trust. but If he were, in all re-
spects, the reverse Of what he is in point Of pri
vate and political character, he would have but
little power for evil compared with that of an
ignorant or corrupt legislature and the very
conspicuousness of his station, and the fact that
he cannot divide the responsibility of his ac-
tons, is a restraint upon him, from which legis-
lators are free. II is a matter OF experience that
the executive business at the state house has,
under successive administrations, with one or
two exceptions, and those not recent, been hon
esty and faithfully performed. No one would
venture to say that all the state legislation, dur
inc ten years past, was wise or was guided by
pure and upright motives
Candidates for the legislature are not selected
with so much care as the importance of their
office deserves. Constituencies are not exacting
enough in regard TO the qualifications of those
whom they honor with their votes. They are
100 ready 10 yield the office rs a reward for per-
sonal good fellowship, political service or luency
OF speech, leaving the more important matters
Of solid ability and uncompromising upright
ness out Of view. A man not in all respects
satisfactory, is nominated and voted for with
the superficial excuse that he is only one among
some hundreds, and, if he cannot be trusted to
20 right by himself, there will be plenty to keep
him straight. 1t is just these, not often con-
sciously corrupt, but weak and compliant per
sons, elected by good-natured constituencies,
who do not wholly trust, but are unwil-
ling vigorously to oppose them, who become
the easy prey Of plausible lobbyists and
make up the strength Of every mischievous
combination in the legislature. The nucleus of
the supper; OF each lobby scheme consists of
few men who are personally concerned in car
rying il through, and whose election has been
brought about for that purpose. They do the
talking and the general work nlthe commit
tees and elsewhere; but they find allies, who
are indispensable when the matter is brought
TO a vote, among the crowd OF inconsplcuous
members, unfamiliar with legislative business,
who do not see readily into the merits or de-
merits Of proposed measure. Men of this
stamp can often be prevailed upon to barter
their votes il return for support promised to
some measure in which their locality is inter
ested; they may be hattered into compliance
by personal attentions from somebody of note,
or imposed upon by plausible arguments to
which they listen with favorable predisposition
from the fact that a person of consequence
thinks it worth while to argue with them.
Ii there were no members of this character, or
this deplorable lack of character, lobbyists
would cease to be dangerous, in fact they would
cease 10 exist, for their occupation would be
gone. 1t is the duty of good men in every dis
tIict to see that none but inAexibly honest, in.
telligent, sell-respecting men are nominated. /
is not important that every member should be
ready debater, or possess talents of high order
il is important that be should be upright am
conscious of his responsibilities; that he Shout
have the confidence of his constituents, and b
resolved TO deserve and retain it. There ca
hardly be any district which does not contain
some men Of this stamp, who would accept
seat in the general court, but there may be som
districts which have not great many such. Tn
fashion of making a change every year, unit
ali the moderately respectable men in the tow
have had their turn draws heavily upon tb
raw material for legislators. The fashion seem
to be pretty firmly established, and it is appa
emily useless TO urge its abandonment; but
inexperienced men must be sent, let it at lcas
be understood that character is the first and il
dispensable requisite, and talent subordinat
though very desirable qualification, and that
is the most important political duty of ever
citizen to give his personal attention and Unfit
ence 10 the making Of these nominations.