The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-17
A NEW DEPARTURE.
NEBRASKA THE FIRST STATE In
WHICH A
Direct Vote Will BE Cast for United
btates senatOr-Vsn WyCk's
Appeal.

OMAHA, NRB,, August 16.-Iu 1875
there was inserted in the Nebraska
State Constitution provision that at
the general election Immediately pre-
ceding the expiration Of the terra of
q U tied States Senator from this State
the electors shall, by ballot, express
their preference for come person for
the Office Of United States Senator No
action has been taken on this process
up to the present time. Senator Van
Wyct, who Is q candidate for re-elec-
ton, has been asked to appeal to the
people for their expression OF prefer
eoce under this proviso, aud he has
accordingly issued manifes'o. This
will be the first instance Of direct
vote OF the people for United States
Senator, and it is supposed that the
choice thus made will be binding as
matter of honor on the Legislature.
Senator Van Wyck's appeal is as fol-
lows:
SENATOR VAN wYCK's APPEAL.
To tho Electors of Nebraska:
In a country governed by the people
and for the peop'e, the highest prerog-
alive OF the elector Ia the free and un-
trammeled choice ofsthe public serv-
ants who administer the government.
While the national represents the SOW
ereignty of the States, each Senator
ehould be the true representative OF
the Govereign people OF the coI-
monwealth. THIS was the aim and
obi act OF the trainers OF our State
constitution when they made provis-
ion for the expression of the popular
choice OF the selection Of Senator.
For ten years this provision OF our
constitution has been dead letter.
Although law, framed in conformity
with the constitutional proviso, was
passed by the Legislature years ago,
and officers Of election are required to
make returns OF the vote upon the
electors preference for United States
Senator, no sspirant has as yet ven
iured to ask the people for direct ex-
preston OF confidence or preference.
Without presumption on my part that
any man has vested right to public
office, however meritorious or faithful
he may be, desire to appeal 10 the
people OF Nebraska for a direct vote
expressing their preference FIR United
States Senator. There are doubtless
others in this Sat, more worthy than
| am of your confidence, and it will
afford me great pleasure to meet any
OF them for public discussion OF the
living and vital issues of the day. The
Office OF United States Senator is po'
sition of great responsibility, and the
people should know the views oil
every man who desires to represent
Nebraska in the upper house
OF Congress. trust that 1t il
not inappropriate IN this connection
to refer briefly to my service in behalf
OF the State during my term drawing
to a close. BY that record let iudg.
ment be given. have doubtless erred
in some instances as all men do, but
even my worst enemies cannot point
to any act that would impeach my
personal integrity or reflect discredit
upon the State which has honored
me. While | claim to have done only
my duty, in the light in which l was
able to see it, and claim no credit for
the faithful discharge Of the trust
committed to me, only desire to
exercise the right which / have, in
common with all cltizsne, to challenge
my competitors to the Senatorial posi-
ton to submission to popular YER
dict OF the irrespective claims to the
Senatorial succession" -
C.P. VAN WICK.
NKBRAsKA CRY, NHB., August Il, 1886.