Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-01
WHITES LETTER,
He Takes Up the Gage of
Battle.
His Opinion Upon the Selec-
tiOn of Senator.
He Thinks That the Present Method
is Wrong.
He Will Address the People of the
Whole State on the Issues of
the Campaign.

Hon. S. M. White, in replying to the
call of the Democratic county commit
tee of Los Angeles, asking him to take
the field for the purpose of electing
legislature favorable to his own election
to the United States senate, has ad-
dressed the following letter to Mr.. Ger
main, chairman of the committee:
Los ANGELES, CAL, May 20, 1890.
To Eugene German, Chairman of the
Democratic Erecutiye Committee of Los
angeles county:
DEAR SIR-Some time ago the Demo-
cratic executive committee of Los An
geles county was kind enough to pass a
resolution requesting me to announce
myself as a candidate for the United
States senate. The committee also at
tracted my attention to the growing sem
timent favoring the selection of United
States senators by the direct vote of the
people. Owing to numerous Interrupt
tions, the nature of which it is not ne
cessary to explain, my answer has been
delayed.
After fully considering the matter,
have determined to act in accordance
with the suggestion which you have
made, and to authorize my name to be
used in that connection.
/ fully agree with you that it is essen
tial that change should be made in the
present method of selecting the mem
bers of the higher branch of congress.
The voters of the country are as we'll
qualified to pass upon the merits of a
candidate for the senate as they are to
choose members of the house of repre-
sentatives or state senators.
The present system as a relic of the
federal idea. 1t was concession
to those who had no faith in
the masses. 1t is undeniable that much
OF the corruption in modern politics is due
to the circumstance that the senatorial
office is filled by legislative vote. The
electors OF the country are vitally inter-
ested in the membership of the United
States senate. They certainly are enti-
tied to be consulted, yet there is more
than one case on record where they have
been treated to surprise by the sudden
appearance of senator who could never
have received the popular Endorsement,
and who was unknown as a candidate,
and whose qualifications had been sue
cessfully concealed.
The people are as trustworthy as any
legislature. They can be relied upon to
designate some one who will at least re-
fleet their wishes. During the last legis-
lative session at Sacramento, a resolu-
ton introduced by Mr.. Renison, OF
Monterey, was passed, favoring the pop
ular election of United States senators
and voted on the passage of that reso.
luton in accordance with my present
expression.
do not consider that this is an oppor-
tune time to fully discuss the issues Of
the approaching campaign. will, how
ever, say that, in my judgment, one OF
the clearest propositions presented will
be whether the electors of California are
prepared to ratify the purchase of a seat
in the United States senate. This issue
will be rendered irrespective of nv can
didacy. No aspiration that | may have
will in the least affect it. The election
of Republican legislature will re.
suit in the Endorsement of transactions
of which honest Republicans, the rank
and file of the party, have never ap.
proved.
If l am chosen to the high Office.
will certainly exert all my energies to.
wards the accomplishment of good tC
every part OF the country. l believe
that 1 will be able to attend to the
necessities OF my state, as far as they
may be intrusted to me, without the
slightest partiality for any section, and
as a faithful guardian of the integrity O.
the entire commonwealth. | certainly
have no interests which can conflict
with my duties as senator.
During the coming campaign, / viii
endeavor to visit different portions O
the state, as has been my habit, anC
publicly discuss the questions involved
not merely to forward my personal as
piratiOns, but in the interest of the en-
tire ticket. There are many other Dem
ocrats who are in all respects fully com
petent and thoroughly qualified to rep
resent California in the senate, who
may seek this place. In that event
their efforts as well as mine will be ex
pended in the endeavor to elect the
nominees of the Democracy, and if {
majority of the legislators returned con.
cur in our political views, we will sub
nit our claims for their determination
While would certainly appreciate the
honor involved in my election to the
United States senate, will nevertheless
be satisfied if my exertions contribute
in any degree to the elimination O
money as determinative factor in sena
torial contests. l hope that the day il
not far distant when it will be uni
versally conceded that no man can b,
elected to the United States senate from
the state of California by other thar
honest and fair means. Yours, etc.,
STEPHEN M. WHITE.