The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-06-08
OUR LEGISLATORS.
NEcEssITyFoR THE BEST MEN
How They May be obtained-A IN
ion Ticket Suggested---Brains
and Honor Before
Party.

Judging from the apathy of our citi-
zens without regard to class or party,
one would scarcely believe that a most
important election is impending. An
election at which will be selected
men to legislate on the vital interests
of the territory. They will convene in
November to deliberate on the welfare
of our people, and upon them will de-
pend the good or i'll of the common
veal. Into their keeping will be COM
mitted the future of the territory.
Wise action will tend to the develop
ment of wealth and extension of the
population of the territory. Narrow
and lily contriyed legislation may
render incalcnlable damage.
The LEADER does not hold that the
good Of the future depends altogether
upon new legislation. 1t rather in
clines to the belief that Wyoming, like
most states and territories, has already
too much cumbersome legislation on
the statute books. Bob Ingersoll's idea
that the greatest progress made by
modern governments is in repeating old
laws, has much force, and may apply
to some extent, to Wyoming. This
world is governed too much; SO say our
most distinguished j~urists; so says that
great traveller and keen observer, Gen.
Grant. Therefore, we think that
while some new legislation may be
necessary to supply a manifest deficien-
cy, we hold that most of the good which
the next legislature can do us, will be
in the way of Strengthening. the crook
ed stems; looping off the cumber-
some and useless branches; aud en-
grating such healthful and necessary
sprigs that shall give promise of good.
Manifestly, the interests of a young
and growing territory change with the
progress of development and population.
What was not only beneficial, but nee
essary, years ago, is now useless, and
possibly injurious. With the extension
of live stock business and the settle
ment of the agricultural valleys of the
north and northwest, there must neces-
sarily arise new questions, that claim
immediate attention. Possibly some
existing law must be changed or re-
pealed. AT any rate the problems that
will come up before the legislature
n,not ba bapdlad wiib oraat Slr;1l md
wisdom.
This brings us to the question of Sc
Letting legislators. 1t is plain that If
w are to have wise legislation We must
bring to the work men of wisdom and in
telligence; men who have the cause of
present good and future prosperity at
heart; men tainted with no sordid OF
malicious motives; men who can rise
above the little plain of self, and see
and grant the general want; men who
possess enough statecraft either by ma
ture or experience, to divine the needs
of the present and future, and make
the proper application. There need be
no question of politics in the selection
of our legislature. No United States
senator nor other official who has aught
to do with party, is to be selected by
our Legislators. So our people can well
afford to sink party preferences for the
time in the higher motive of choosing
men to pass upon their dearest inter-
ests. While the LEADER is a republi-
a paper, vertebra and all, it holds
the welfare of the territory and the
people more sacred than party distinc-
ton. 1t believes that the most good is
to be obtained from a general coopera-
ton of all citizens in the work of Sc
curing proper Legislators. Therefore,
let the legislative ticket of Laramie
county be made up of good men with
out regard to creed, .'color or previous
condition of servitude." Let both par
ties be fairly represented on II union
ticket, containing the names of the best
men each party affords. There is moth
ing selfish or narrow in this suggestion.
1t must strike all intelligent, thinking
men as being eminently the plan above
all others to produce the greatest coed
to the greatest number" Brains and
honor are in demand, and if they can't
be obtained by making selections from
among all of citizens, then there
is no earthly hope of obtaining them at
all. But the plan cannot fail of sue
cess, and the LEADER places its full
reliance in it.
We are ware of the unwillingness on
the part of most of our good citizens to
become candidates for, or members of,
the legislature. Such backwardness
always clears the way for the elevation
of inferior men. But we a%re.not going to
condemn the spirit of shrinking from q
political contest. We are well aware
of the sensitiveness of many good men
who prefer the peace of private life to
the toll and asperities Of a campaign.
But in our plan, such men need fear no
harshness in the event of their candida
cy. The question of selection will be
settled by a convention to he composed
of good, honorable men.
Therefore, we hold it, to be the duty
of men whom public opinion would des-
ignate as first choice, to make Temporal
ry sacrifice of personal wishes and be-
come the servants and well doors of the
public. AS we have shown, they are
needed and they will escape the worst