The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-11-27
Better Men for Law Makers

William A. Wallace, who has been
a member of the lower House Of the
Pennsylvania Legislature, several times
State Senator, United States Senator
for six years, and twice strong COM
petitor for the Democratic nomination
for Governor, in an interview in Pitts
burg newspaper declares that he would
like very much to 60 back to the low
er House of the Legislature during the
next term. This is the kind of frank
statement that often comes from Mir.
Wallace
His object is explained with equal
frankness. He desires to be in the
Legislature to do what he can to secure
for the voters of Pennsylvania salts
factory ballot system and to provide
something that would act as screen
between the illiterate and the ballot.
He believes the State is absolutely
suffering from the flood of illiteracy
that is coming IN upon it from other
countries. He favors compelling for
eigners to read and write before they
are allowed to become voters. This
he regards as remedy for some OF
the dangers threatening the larger
States.
Without going into the merits OF Mr..
Wallace's proposition, which is one
that is not new with him, it is desirable
to encourage the presence in the Leg
isla.ure Of men of his ability and ex-
perience. Mr.. Wallace should have
no great difficulty in getting elected to
the House. 1t is very worthy am
bition. He lives in strongly Demo
cratic county which has two members,
and it is hardly probable that the
Clearheld Democrats would begrudge
him one of the places. They would
do themselves wrong if they did, in
view of the very ordinary kind Of ma
terial they have recently sent to repre-,
sent them.
ltwould be most excellent advance
ment if both parties would conclude
now, for it is none too early, to nomi.
nate for the Legislature men of more
substantial character, ability, and loftier
purposes than is generally done. The
int ntion should be made general SO
that the whole tone of the Legislature
can be improved as it shall be. Many
ofthe members, and particularly many
from the large. cities, are disgrace to
the constituencies which they do moi
really represent, but which are respon,
sible for them just the same. These
men are totally unfit for their duties,
and serve no purpose in the Legisla-
ture but to bring that body into popu-
lar contempt.
This is partly due to machine meth
DDS in both parties, and is primarily
the fault of the people, who are too in
different at time when they should
be mnch interested. Another draw
back is in the fact that men who ough,
to be in the Legislature do not gener,
ally seek election. They ought to pat
tern after the frankness Of Mr.. Wallac
and announce themselves, and the
people ought to go after them and
bring them out. To be member o
the Legislature is very proper and
worthy desire on the part of anyone
fit for the duty. 1t should be encour
aged in every district in the State.
There is no more responsible trust
In the public service than that of the
lawmaking power. And yet the peo
pie in many districts allow it to fall in,
to the hands of men who are ignoran,
or corrupt and have no knowledge
whatever of what is required of them
There is no better time than the pres
ent to resolve upon a change.-E1