Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-12
REPRESENTATIVES. AVID CONSTITUENCIES.

We printed yesterday letter from State
Senator George, of Nevada county, on the
question OF the relations of representatives
to their constituents. The Senator cited
several specific instances, from the records
of the last legislative session, OF the preva-
lence of the erroneous idea that repre-
sentatives are merely delegates. The cases
quoted by him are certainly very strong
proofs of the generality OF the view which
we examined and criticised last Saturday,
and taking into consideration the fact that
the statement of this position on several
occasions in the Legislature provoked no
controversy, we think it may not unjustly
be assumed that it is all but universally
accepted. II this is so, however, 1t rem
ders it the more necessary to point out the
fallacy of doctrine which certainly has no
support in American political science, and
the adoption of which must in short time
wholly change the character of our Gov
eminent. AS we showed last week, the
deputative theory was definitively aband
oned when the Constitution of the United
States was framed, and every authority on
the subject since, from Story to Woolsey,
has held the same position on this ques-
ton, namely, the independence of the rep
resentatives.
The silent surrender of this principle of
independence which appears to have been
made can only be interpreted as marking
the growth of demagogism which threat
ems to metamorphose our deliberative
bodies into deputative assemblies. The
practice, which has increased greatly of
late years, Of trying to pledge candidates
for the Legislature in advance OF their
election or nomination, has unquestionably
contributed to this change. The inevitable
tendency OF such practice must always
be to exclude from candidature the more
independent and conscientious men, and to
bring forward such as are willing to sur
render their individual judgment, no mat
ter to what ignorant demand, and are con-
tent with the excuse that it is the Twill
g of their constituents" when they are
found voting for measures at which their
reason and judgment revolt.
1t is evident that such men cannot be the
most desirable representatives of an intelli-
gent people. In fact it may safely be al
legged that no man who is willing to pledge
himself to a specific course in advance
upon a question which he has not studied,
and does not understand, is fit to be in
trusted with legislative responsibilities.
Such a man is clearly of no use to his con-
stituents. A representative should be
brains and eyes and hands for those he
represents. But if they blindfold and
muzzle and handcuff him before election,
all he can do is to represent their proba-
bly, Ignorant and possibly mischievous
ideas. In such cases the knowledge he
acquires after leaving them is utterly use
less, both to him and to them. He may
discover that the measure they have
pledged him to support is highly prejudi-
cial to their interests, but he is still bound
to vote for it, and one such illustration
demonstrates the vice of the system con-
clusively.
1t is clearly time that the people of Cal
ifornia returned to the right method in this
connection, and instead of trying to save
themselves by binding their representa-
tives, saw to it that only such men as could
be trusted were put in nomination. A self
respecting man will not pledge himself on
an unknown proposition, and no other
kind of man ought ever to be sent to the
Legislature. 1t is of course for the people
themselves to institute reform in this
matter. So long as they insist upon pledges
they viii find plenty of candidates ready
to take them, but they will not find such
men as ought alone to be chosen as repre-
sentatives. A true man can be trusted in
all things. No pledges are required to
insure his probity and the conscientious
discharge of his duty. And it as repre-
sentatives, and not as deputies, that men
ought to be elected to the Legislature.
Deputative government is entirely un-
American. 1t finds no place in our system.
1t involves complete subversion of our
system. 1t prevents the treatment of i'm
portant questions intelligently, and makes
their determination the result of passion
or prejudice or blind ignorance.
Whoever is elected as legislator should
be untrammeled. He should be left free
to act as circumstances and the facts of
which he becomes cognizant may deter
mine. Otherwise he cannot possibly do
the best for his constituents. He is sure
to know more than they know about every
great issue, and consequently he is sure to
be better prepared than they are to pass
upon such questions. He has the advan-
tage of being on the SPOT, of getting full
knowledge of his subjects, of seeing all
round them ; and therefore his Judgment,
| if he is honest, must be sounder than that
of those who only see one side, and even
that imperfectly. Intelligent and eonsci.
entious and beneficial legislation can never
be hoped for unless the lawmakers are free
to use their own judgment and the public,
in demanding pledges from such candi-
dates, is really standing in its own light,
and destroying the efficiency alike of its
agents and of its institutions. Give us
unpledged Legislatures, and they will give
us sound legislation and ripe judgments.
TIE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM Assc-
CITATION.
We have received a pamphlet explain
ing the purposes of the Civil Service Re-