Daily Los Angeles herald., 1879-05-24
IA. :. us,a-ov.r senators. -

The Views of the HERALD did
not prevail in the last election.
This Journal accepted loyalty and
cordially the verdict of the major
ity, and it was one of those advo.
Gates Of the old Constitution that
was careful not to stultify its pre-
vious attitude. Our views as to
the effects Of the new organic law
are substantially such as we ex-
pressed during the last campaign,
but we put them to one side, and
have good humor and patriotism
enough, now that the change is
contaminated, to hope that we
were mistaken. We have raised
the issue as to the "hold-over Sem
asorsn because it is necessary that
1t should be discussed fully and at
once, and put In shape which will
surely correspond with the wishes
and intentions of the people of
California. The San Francisco
Bulletin, Of the 22d inst, has fol-
lowed our lead in this matter. We
quote:
One of the most difficult enigmas
which the new Constitution pre-.
ssnts relates to the hold-over SeDa-
tors. There are twenty of them
exactly one-half of the Senate. OF
these twenty, twelve are Demo-
Gratis and eight Republicans. The
question is, were they legislated
out Of Office? 1t is claimed on the
one hand that the Convention
meant to remove them. Some
lawyers, on the contrary, hold that
II the Convention had that purpose
in view, 1t failed to carry it out in
terms.
It is not very easy question to
settle. The worst of it is, it is q
purely political issue. There is no
court to which it can be referred
for decision. The first to take &C.
tion on 1t will be the Governor. In
his proclamation for the next elec.
ton he may or he may not call for
the election of full Senate. If he
does not. the Democrats and Re-
publicans, by reason of the fact
that the twenty hold-over Senators
are divided between them, may
conclude to accept the ruling. If
they take that position they will
make no nominations for these
seats. The party that objects Will
Of course nominate. Having no
opposition, its candidates will have
. walk over the course In these
districts. If it should carry ma
tority Of the Assembly, that ma
jority will recognize the newly
elected Senators.
There will thus be a chance for
two Legislatures, which would re-
duce us very soon to condition
akin to Mexican anarchy. The
legitimacy of the rival bodies could
only be determined by the Cover
nor. II he should happen to be-
long to the party which stood by
the hotd.over Senators, the pOliti-
cal plot would thicken rapidly. In
that case the usual result of a
double-headed Government might
be confidently anticipated - the
people would pay taxes to neither.
The General Government, in the
end, would be forced to take sides
IN the squabble. If for nothing else,
to determine which of the two Sem
atofs, elected by the two Govern
ments Of California, was entitled to
= seat.
It will thus be seen that there is
. necessity, when this question is
decided, that it shall be placed on
such broad grounds that there will
be not much ground for an opposi-
tton view. 1.-THE ruling should be
IN favor Of the hold-over Senators,
they will cit not only in the next
Legislature, but also in that of 1881,
when the Senator is to be chosen.