Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-01-16
LOOK AHEAD.

LOOK AHEAD.
Some of the older of the independent
Republicans of Butler took exception to
our statement of last week, that as our
representatives at Harrisburg had voted
for Cameron in caucus, they were now in
honor bound to vote for him at the election.
They think that "snap caucus" like that
of the 7th inst should not be binding, if
the Represen tatives find that they have
misrepresented their constituents, and
petition to that effect is now in circulation,
though it is not being generally signed on
account of the apparent hopelessness of the
situation.
That the sentiment of the Republicans
of the county and State is against the re-
tention of Cameron in Office, no one de-
nies, but he and his agents looked long
ways ahead. He managed that his men
were nominated in Philadelphia, Allie
gheny, Lancaster, Dauphin and other pop
ulous counties last spring, and when they
were elected in the fall, he considered him
self re elected. and now that he has secur-
ed a caucus nomination his defeat can only
be encompassed by very determined de-
fection on the part Of about thirty mem
bers Of the two Houses.
That he should be retired, that he Is an
utterly unfit representative OF the Republi-
can party and the people of the State in
the National Senate, that his political
methods are not in accord with the princi-
pies of the party or of free government, and
that his retention in SO powerful and I'M
portant an Office is felt by thousands OF
men all over tie State, who have never
voted anything but the Republican ticket,
to be personal humiliation, goes without
saying.
No grander party than the Republican
party was ever organized on this Continent,
no nobler set of men than its first leaders
eyer lived, and no pages OF the history OF
the Nation willrecord greater sacrifices than
those made during its first administrations
With its record il should dominate the Ma
ton for Century, but MS time has passed
we find that the commercial element In 1t
has obtained too great hold, and that
money and patronage have placed
and retained men in the National
Senate who are weakness to
the party, and whose doings aided
in causing its defeat all over the Cont
nent last fall; and now to return man
from this State, who after fourteen years
service has given US no good reason for so
doing, but who is continuously placing US
on the defensive, is undoubtedly a step
backward, and one that should be prevent
ed if possible.
The excuse our Legislators give for vot-
in z for him, is that there was no other
candidate before the caucus That is true,
but every student CT the politics OF the
State knows the reeson thereof, and also
knows that with the Cameron grip releas-
ed, good and able men from every section
of the State would aspire to the position.
A significant incident of Cameron's late
trip to Harrisburg was that he went to the
old Cameron house, Collector Cooper and
other PLAUSIBLE gentlemen helped him to
receive and Chairman Andrews and other
political roosters went out and induced the
members to call upon him; whereas
statesman would have appeared be fore the
Legislators of his party and discussed the
questions of the day with them. But no
such idea entered Cameron's head. He
relies upon more subtle means for
accomplishing his ends, and man
who has secured his place by such
means is not the representative and SER
want Of the:people. He has bought and
paid for his office, and he does with it
what he pleases, with obligations to no.
body.
The only remedy we see for this state
of affairs within the party lines, is for Re-
publicans to pledge their support to no as
pirant for a legislative Office who will not
in turn, pledge himself to certain meas
ures and lines Of conduct.
Next year, in 1892, we will elect another
House of Representatives, and half of the
Senate, including member for this district,
and that Legislature will elect successor
to q. S. Senator NJ. S. Quay, and as men
allover the state are already informing their
personal friends of their intention of being
candidates, we think it would be good pol
itics for no Republican to pledge himself
to any man who will not in turn make
pledge to use his best endeavors to redeem
the party from commercial rule, and also
to vote for no man for o. S. Senator who
will not pledge himself to use his best en-
deavors to secure an amendment to the
National Constitution making the election
of United States Senators subject to the
direct vote of the people, and dividing the
power of confirming the Presidents ap-
pointments between the Senate and
House.
No amendment to the National Constitu-
ton, not even that forever prohibiting the
existence of slavery in this country would,
we believe, be hailed with greater delight
by the people. You have but to look at
the membership of the United States SEN
ate to-day and consider the immense power
in their hands under the Constitution, to be
convinced that this is not government OF,
by and for the people, but rather one Of
by and for the Senators, and until the
whole Nation realizes that fact the thing
will remain as it is. Why should we not
know what we are voting fort Candidates
for Parliament in Great Britain publish
their views on the questions of the day,
and why should not the same custom pre-
vail heref Why should we 60 it blind and
so often be deceivedf Let US look ahead
and endeavor to strangle the serpent that
has encircled us before it is too late.
AFTER continuous session of thirteen