Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-03
THE sENATOnsHIP.


During the past two or three days that
members Of the Legislature have been
gathering in this city, there has arisen
a tremendous hubbub over the various
Offices, high and low, to be filed by that
body. We fall rather below the truth
in saying that there are as many can
didates as there are electors, or mem
bers In both houses. OF course the
Federal Senatorship overshadows all
others circumstance we much regret,
as We think that, IN our present condi-
ton, unusual attention should be de-
voted to the selection of able and eff
eient State officers, such as Treasurer,
Comptroller, and Speakers who may
possibly be called to fill the Guberna-
torial chair. There is also exhibited in
tie Senatorial contest much more bit
terness and doggedness of feeling than
in any other. Fer this, we perceive no
occasion or excuse. It does not augur
wellfor satisfactory selectioa. There is
too much peIsonalism, and too little of
generous party feeling. All should
treat each other as emulating brethren,
and lay their claims on the altar of the
Democracy, ready to bow submissive to
the verdict of the representatives with
whom the people Of Tennessee have
trusted their fortunes and interests for
two eyentful years now coming. A
thousand weighty matters, bearing
vitality upon the prosperity and pro-
gress Of the State, have been commit
ted to these Legislators. No one
doubts that they will choose a Senator
worthy Of Tennes zee. Let them but
appreciate the responsibilities placed
upon them, and tbey viii decide this
as well as other important questions,
more directly bearing upon the peo-
PIES interests and pockets, without
fear, favor or affection.
Another circumstance, which rem
ders less excusabIe any exhibition Of
strife about the Senatorship, is the
well-known fact that nine-tenths of the
people viii be well satisfied with any
one of half a dozen among the aspi-
rants offering. 1t is not the people
who are making trouble, but the poh-
ticians. We would warn the latter that
there has been an unusual Weakening
among the people, in Tennessee as well
as elsewhere, during the past year.
They have exhibited a determination
to stand together firmly for their in
terests, and be no longer divided or
distracted from their purpose, by the
mere personal claims Of rival sspirants
fJr Office. They are keeping sharp
watch on their representatives. We
much mistake their temper If
they tolerate prolonged or
embittered struggle in the Leg
islature on any issue involving per-
sonal promotion merely. The policy of
instructing their representatives for
Federal Senator. was freely canvassed
throughout the State last summer, and
the people almost unanimously ignored
it, only two counties setting up any
pretence at action in the premises. The
people have, Of their own accord, left It
TO the Legislature. If the members
are competent to solve the many knotty
problems Of State policy before then,
they viii find little trouble in closing a
contest involving no principle what
ever, except that they elect a man rep
resentative Of Tennessee's fifty thous-
and Democratic majority. The less
lobbying and caucusing and swapping
that intervenes, the better viii thep eo-
pie be pleased, and the more satisfac-
tory to all VIII be theresult. Thecoming
Legislature VIII, at every step, be sub
jected to closer popular scrutiny than
any similar body for the past quarter
Of a century.