Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-06-15
Aanras1r, tIltrlhQencer.
THURSDAY EVENING. JUNE Is. ,sea
Selecting LEGISLATORS.

The Democrats over in Franklin county
have set an example worthy of all iml-
tation in selecting a legislative ticket
which has on it such name as that of
]. Mcdowell Sharpe, and if Mr.. Sharpe
accepts the nomination he will do what
men of his standing should do. Why
can we not have Legislature composed
of our best men Such Legislature
would not need to sit long and be a tax
upon the time of good and able men
which they cannot bear. In session OF
a month such men could consider and de-
eide all the things that need to he con-
sidered and decided for the welfare of
the state for a period of two years.
At present it is not very great honor to
to be a state representative not because
the place and its duties are not of great
importance, but because the men sent to
do these duties are not generally taken
from those of highest standing in the
community for their intelligence, integ-
rity and ability. Certainly it is unde-
niable that the state needs in its Legis-
ture the very best men it has. 1t needs
them sorely; it does not get them. 1t
may have them if such men will accept
the office; and they will incline to do
so if they know that they will meet
there their peers in character and ability.
If a few good men over the state will
follow Mr.. Sharpe's example and few
conventions initiate that Of Franklin
county, We may fairly hope that the ex-
ample will he catching to the great honor
and glory of the state.
The Democracy of Franklin county
were no doubt inspired to do this cred
liable thing by the fact that the county
is close politically and they needed to
put their best foot forward to win. This
is the great benefit of having closely con-
tested political districts. If the state
could he so divided us to make
such districts as many as possible, we
would have the very best possible
marshalling of voters. 1t is very injur'
rious to have political parties so one
olutNl dS luCy GklC DCA Nd alhu
ter counties, where the election is decid-
ed not by the people but by the politica
conventions. There is no sense in silenc-
ing absolutely the voice of the Demo
cracy in Lancaster and the Republicans
in Berks. They are citizens of the
state equally with their fellow Democrats
and Republicans in counties where men
Of both parties have chance to be rep
resented yet they are practically dis
franclised in electing Legislature, and
for tiine out of mind have been so.
There is little prOvOcatiOn for Demo.
Gratis in Lancaster to seek legislative
nomination, or for our conventions to be
fastidious as to their nominations. No
ticeably, however, we name better men
than the Republican conventions, whose
nomination is an election the candi.
dates there work for nomination a
thing which men fit for the place would
not care or condescend to do. Itis not Il
wholesome way of filling Legislature.
But it is the laws way and cannot he al
together helped. But if Democratic
conventions would rise to their Oppor
tunity, in districts where they can elect,
either surely or possibly, and would
name their bes: men for the Senate and
Assembly, they would do the greatest
benefit for their party and the state that
could he done to it. They would show
themselves worthy of their trust and
the day of Democratic ascendency
would dawn, never to end while this
course was followed.