Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1877-11-03
GOVERNOR PHELPS AND SENATOR
ARMS TRONG.

On the last day at September. 4 little
nor OF Missouri announced his appo!nt-
mrut ot Col. David IL Armstrong as
United States senator. Time enough has
now elapsed to see what the people
think of it. We observe that by some II
is received with silent resignation. ny
others with expressions OF simple DIS
appointment. and BY still others with
open dissatisfaction and disgust. 1t has
been cordially accepted by none and
dissatisfaction Is wide spread. On the
iecesse OF MI Bogy, public expectation
was on tiptUe. and suggestions were
rapidly made from every part OF the
state touching his successor. >everal
persons were named as likely To be APP
pointed because they We're known |" he
qualified Tor the position-eminent riti-
sens. the appointment Of any Of whom
would have reflected credit upon the
governor and honor upon the state.
Everybody admits that there never was
q time when tirSt-rate ability WAS more
needed in the | njted States senate bnt
while these prominent citizens We're III
the minds "i the people they do not
Phelps, OF ii they We're they were only
there As unpleasant suhlectS.t to be thrust
ASIDE and cast cut OF his consideration.
The tact is that while the governor was
profoundly Cugitatiug and revolving IN
his cApsC!ous intellect the merits OF
Colonel Armstrong, nobody IN all Mis-
souIi. outside OF the gubernatorIal office,
even thought ot him As - possible APP
pointee Nevertheless he was the per
Son selected for senator-and why? This
question is often asked. but never salts
~factorilv answered. We regret TO say
that no answer we have ever heard was
based upon the supposition that the
governor i'll the appointment had an eye
10 the public good. or that the interest
and honor OF the state controlled his
hNNi'l w JUG IIhN ~ ItVh' 80
that Mr.. Armstrong was in any respect
qualified 10 represent the state OF Mis-
souri, upon the floor OF the senate Next
to that OF Il Judge OF the supreme court.
we regard tue office Of senator OF the
United States as the highest in the land.
4 senator should be familiar with u
-. ,,l l,,-- .ba,r -, .,- ,,LJ
judicial construction. He should have
studied oar industrial and commercial,
resources. our foreign and domestic re-
~laticns. and informed himself on the
general current OF cOntemporaneous and
past legislation. He should bring to his
high Office experience. READINGS, and
power as 4 drbater. which would put
him alongside of other senators. We
ConSIderthat Democratic Missouri should
send 10 the senate OF the nation men
who are able to cope with the EimundS
the BlaineS aud the CouklmgS OF the re-
publican party. Missouri has such men
then why eNa.t others TO the proudest
place within her gift Where IS The ne
cessitv Of sending to the senat 4 nan
who is the peer Of nobody-who wi!
not fully represent our interests, simply
because he cannot? Who, when our
dearest rights are in question. must sit
SPECIFICS and dumb for the reason that
he knows not what to say, and even if
he ioes.ha> NJ experience in debate. and
no ability 10 say it 1t must be conceded
thai, the governor did not make this APP
poiutment with the least regard to the
public good. He then must have had 4
different object in view, While il i not
necessary to discus, that object now. i
may be- IN order hereafter. 1t i need
less TO say tha; ii ii wa not done for the
public good i could not be creditahle 10
the governor.