Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-07
THE SENATORIAL QUESTION.

The New York Tribune is deeply con-
cerned about the approaching election OF
a United States Senator in Maine. As
this, however, is a matter properly be-
longing to the people of Maine to settle,
the question might be asked, why should
the Tribune undertake to control it? and
whether its interference is not anagonistic
to the doctrine of Home Rule" which
the Tribune advocates? The duty and
responsibility of the selection peculiarly
belong to Maine. The State has interests
of her own which her choice Of senator
is designed to protect. Some of these
clash with the interests of New York, rs
was plainly seen at the last session of
Congress, in the struggle over the pilot
age question, where the interests of
Maine were strenuously supported by
Senator Hamlin and opposed by the New
York senators. We cannot afford, there
fore. to allow New York influence to die
tate whom Maine shall have to represent
allow New York to control our represen-
tatiyes in the senate for her own interests
whenever they antlgonize the Interests OF
Maine. We claim the right of Home
Rule" in this matter at least, as we find 1t
granted to us in the constitution OF the
Ia ted States. The Tribune's course as
sumes that the people of Maine are not
sufficiently intelligent to elect senators
without its prompting and advice, but
this assumption is as gratuitous and nso-
lent as uniounded. The last gush of the
Tribune upon the subject is as follows;
"The complete success of the caucus system
is the only possibility for the reelection OF
four U. S. senators. They are all republi-
csns-Hamln in Me-, Chandler in Michigan
Carpenter in Wisconsin and Ramsey in MIN
nssota. In each case, If the members OF the
legislature were permitted 10 vote for whom
soever they pleased, the present incumbent
would be easily defeated. If all the repub-
lican members in either legislature consent to
obey the caucus command. the present sena-
tor will probably squeeze in again by very
small vote. 1t needs no argument to SHOW
that the popular will can be best obeyed b!
voting for candidates in open session, without
any caucus limitations. The caucus is the
last refuge of politicians without popular sup
port, and ought to have been abolished long
ago. A few men with back bones can end It's
baleful course very summarily. 1t locks in
nearly all of the States named as il there
were men waiting to seize so good an oppor-
tunity."
The above, from the Tribune point Of
view, is not cheerful article. On the
contrary it appears like wall Of despair,
groan of disappointment, fearful fore
hoding that its efforts to control the elcc-
ton of senators in the States mentioned
will come to naught. In relation TO so
much of its article as refers to this State.
we have a few words to say. We have
lever advocated in these columns the
special claims of any candidate to succeed
Mr.. Hamln in the senate. We regard all
the candidates brought forward as worthy
men and true republicans, and have felt
from the beginning Of agitation upon the
subject content TO leave the choice in the
hands OF the representatives, Of the = pub
iican party, satisfied that the N'n'r would
be well served let the election TALL upon
whomsoevcr Of the candidates it might
But while we have 10 special candidate to
defeat and none 10 elect, we have insisted
and do still! iusist tha; the usage of the
republican party should be observed and
maintained by the republican members of
the Legislature in their action relating to
the election Of senator. We believe this
best for the party-indced The only course
which il can safely pursue-aHd best fol
the State. Maine is a republican State,
and nonc bat republican can represent
her in the senate. If senator were
elected by the democratic strength in the
legislature joined TO the votes Of q few
republicans, that senator. though he may
have been a republican, would be con
trolled by the party which cast its whole
strength for him, and would be the repre-.
sentative of the democracy in Congress
ana thus the State with IFS large republi