The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-29
THE RIGHT OF THE VOTER.
JoEL II. b. MILLER,

The question as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF
the candidate for legislative honors an
nourcng his choice for United State;
senauDr mas been mich mOoted of late Il
appears that the opinions expressed on
this subject are individual utterance.
rather than the expression of policy fol
valid reasons. The candidate who re-
fuses to announce his preference, fears
that his choice may be opposed by the
people, and he had rather let the people
take an apple out of bag than to select
one with all faults and virtues known
The people, as the electors, as the ones
sovereign in their choice of a representa-
tive, have n right to know what are the
opinions of the man they
select. The legislator, ms SUCH
is chosen to represent his constituents as
the one who is known to voice the senti-
ments of the majority. His main duty
is the enacting of laws, and the voters, as
rule, are cOntented to select an honest
intelligent man to legislate upon matters
.of general interest to the state, but when
ii is known as fact that the man elected
by the people will be called to pass upon
some important measures, so important
that it is the concern of every voter, a:
such, then the voter can demand, as his
right, to know VIVA. the opinion, of the
candidate who asks for his ballot, is on
this important subject.
Every one who understands what a pc.
litical campaign is, knows this is fact
because the legislators are, as a rule, will
ing enough to air their opinions on matters
of moment on which they are to
act, and this opinion serves to
defeat or elect them. One of the du-
ties of the legislature is to elect United
States senator, a matter of great moment
to the people, and can the candidate re-
fuse then to inform his would-be constit-
uents what are his opinions or preferences
on the subject Cannot the people de-
mand us Il right, as one of their preroga-
tives, to know the preference of the seek
er of their votes? Every man of intelli'
gence forms an opinion on every public
question which he has any reason to con
slider. and every one knows that legisla-
tive candidate has formed an opinion be
fore his election, as to the man he will sup
port for the seuate, and his failure to
publish that opinion is caused through
fear.
Through fear, that it may perchance
lead to his defeat, and he had rather ruu
the chances of election by voters whose
opinion he knows he does not represent
than to be defeated by full expression
of his ideas. These would independent
men who declare that they are mo man,
henchman,r and that they have "no brant
on them" do this as little bravado il
order to turn the peoples attention from
their refusal to declare their o inion by ,
would be braggadocio manner. 81 an
bound to no man." they say, and reiteratt
this canard in the ears of those they woulC
deceive This supposed independence il
balderdash; the merest tyro in politics car
see through the game and understand that
the refusal to announce their preference
is not because of praiseworthy spirit OF
independence, but fear to express al
opinion which may result in their defeat
Let the candidate speak out and he ma!
be sure that if he is not Objectionable
otherwise, his preference for senator viii
not defeat him. II he will not speak on
let the people demand their right, pub
lie expression of opinion.