The record-union., 1891-03-20
THE NEW UNITED STATES SENA-
TOR.


TOR.
Hon. Charles N. FELTON, was yesterday
elected United States Senator from Cali
fornia to fill out the unexpired term OF
the late George Hearst. In selecting Mr..
FELTON, the Legislature has done well, and
will have the hearty approval of the peo-
paragement to the competitor who ran so
closely to him for so long time, the
other candidates not being at any time
considered as formidable compared with
the strength of the leaders.
Very naturally inquiry arises concern
ing the cause which led to Mr.. Felton's
choice. We do not think that any one
needs to look far, or with effort, to dis
cover the one and chief reason for the Sc
lection. Mr.. FELTON, was really the choice
of the State Mt the outset. When the
vacancy was announced as likely to oc-
cur, public thought instantly reverted to
ex-Congressman FELTON, as the most fit
citizen for the station, and as the most
likely to obtain the position if he aspired
to the distinguished honor. 1t will be
recalled as matter of recent history,
that his name was the very first men,
toned when the fact that vacancy had
actually occurred was heralded in the
press, and throughout the State it was ac-
cepted that he would not meet with sue
cessful opposition.
Later, when other citizens contested for
the Senatorship, there was some diver
sion, and a great deal of debate as to
chances; but the people who read public
thought, and keep note of the beat of the
public pulse, never for one moment
doubted that Mr.. FELTON, was the pre-
ferred candidate of the State His final
election may have been fastened by SEN
sational events that took place within the
last two or three days; but underlying
the whole contest was the strength Of the
man IN the thought of the people. For
Mr.. FELTON, has had extended experience
in State and national legislation, and at
all times has proved faithful, capable,
public-spirited, broadminded and cour-
ageous. A man of large means, he is
known to be Independent, and armed
against conditions that others might less
easily resist. He has manly courage,
and the element of firmness and decision
that is commonly known as "backbone.n
He is radical in nothing, nor yet so con-
servative as to be vacillaiing. On the
thinking man OF worldly wisdom, legis-
lative experience. legal acumen of the
natural order, financial skill and success
ful life.
Political far-seeing among the men who
make political methods study, pointed
out Mr.. FELTON, rs the winning candidate
from the beginning, and the prophets OF
this order did not, it proves, judge amiss.
They simply read the thought of the
State, which finally found reflection in
the expression of the legislative conven-
tion. Mr.. FELTON, will take up the Senator
ial toga and adjust himself to its wearing
without any embarrassment whatever;
he will assume it conscious that he made
an open and dignified contest for the place.
We have watched the struggle closely,
and amidst all the rumor and talk of the
use of improper influences to secure the
position, we have seen or heard of moth
ing to connect Senator FELTON, with any
dealing whatever to discredit his candi-
daey. He will go up to the Senate with
strong hands and ability to do for Califor-
mia all that any could, and with patriotic
instincts that will make him the conserv-
ator of all measures tending to advance.
strengthen and augment the greatness OF
the republic.
1t is never well to build too loftily our
hopes and expectations concerning the
capacity of our Representatives and Sem
ators in Congress to sway legislation in
the direction of State interest. California
is but one of the least of the factors of any
national movement. We are great in our
own estimation, and base our claims on
territorial grandeur and natural advan-
tages that justify all our pride in the
State, but amidst the millions at the East
we are by no means esteemed of the im-
portance with which we credit our
selves. The tasks of our representatives
in the two houses of Congress are, there
fore, those Of much embarrassment and
difficulty in securing for us those things