Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-03-11
REPRESENTATIVES, AND CONSTITUENTS.
Letter from Senator George of Nevada
County


EDS. REcoRD-UNIoN 1t is seldom that /
appear in print, or that attempt to urge my
opinions on others but permit me to say
that your editorial of last Saturday, on the
subject of "The Relations and Duties of
Representatives to their Constituents so
fully meets my views that l beg the privi.
lege of indorsing it, and adding few words,
showing the position of the California Senate
on this proposition,
was aware that one of the principal argu.
ments the enemies of the debris measure
would present would be that they wished to
represent the wishes of their constituents.
In doing so they of necessity would be COM
PEELED to vote for Senate Bill No. 27. To
meet that used the following in my speech
on that occasion If my constituents want
my vote on any local matter of interest to
them they shall have it, but when a
matter of State policy (as I regarded
that matterl presents itself, I then say
"hands off, my Judgment is my own" |
endeavored to illustrate my views, and the
futility of their position, by the downfall of
Poland, which was brought about partially
from the manner in which they controlled
the action of their representatives. | feared
| was treading upon " forbidden ground, "
and expected to be severely criticised for my
position. not only by the opponents of the
measure, but by my political opponents, too,
perhaps, in the course of time, as believe the
people, too many of them, are educated to be-
lieve that Senator, for instance, represents
his county or district merely, and not the State
The next speaker after me, Senator Baker,
whose speech [ regret to know was not re-
ported, took particular pains to Justify his
position on the measure, taking refuge be-
hind his constituents. Senator Hill used
the following 8 l want it passed (Sen-
ate Bill No. 81 because the people of
Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito coun-
ties 1.-THE counties he representa-, are in favor
of its passage" Senator German said, after
expressing his sympathy, ETC., for the farm
ers, as Senator he thought it was his duty
to represent the wishes of his constituents,
in favor of the BILL" Senator Neumann
after expressing his regret for his vote said :
because his constituents did not
desire to pay any more taxes for the further
ance of the debris scheme" These were
among the Senators who voted for the bill.
Quotations might be continued from the
opposition to the debris scheme, carrying
out this Zone idea." And even Senator
Johnson, who worked hard and long for the
continuation of the debris scheme. was actu-
ated by the same influence, only in an oippo-
site direction He said after explaining his
position, 81 shall endeavor to carry
out the views of my immediate con.
stituents, residents of Sacramento city
and county, upon this important and
overshadowing ISSUE" Thus it must be read
lily seen that the people of this State enter
tain the idea that Senators and Assembly
men are not representatives, but delegates,
and as such are bound TO give an account of
their stewardship, not to the State, but to
the locality or district from which they are
elected.
and only adds to our confidence that your
journal retains the high rank of eminence
and ability for which it has SO long been re-
speeted. WILLIAM GEORGE.
Grass Valley. March 9. 1881.