The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-01-20
A Hopeful SIGN.

The country is rapidly coming to the
conclusion that the proper way to cleo
Senators of the United States is by popu-
lar vote. This is, among other reasons,
because of the unseemly wrangles over
their election in the legislatures of many
of the states. The purchase of votes il
often charged, and it is commonly be-
lleved that several of the millionaire
members would never have found their
way to the upper House of Congress if il
had not been by the golden stair.
There is kind OF corruption that I'M
doubleday prevails which does not con-
sist of straight bribery-the purchase OF
votes directly. 1t is by different and
more roundabout process. The state
legislators election is aided by the use OF
money literally contributed by the sena-
torial aspirant and the elected legislator
finds himself under obligations, either
expressed or implied, to support the gem
erous candidate by way OF reciprocity.
The expense attending elections nova
days is growing evil. Every candidate
for Office is expected to put up money, or
his friends must contribute for him or he
stands but small chance, in most places,
to reach the goal of his ambition. That
the Office ought to seek the man is the
oretically right. But when the man is
nominated if he does not seek the office
he is very liable to be defeated.
When it comes to spirited contest,
particularly when each candidate feels
tha t the interests of his party demand his
best exsrtions, the need of funds is ap-
parent. What more natural, then, than
that aid from moneyed man who himseli
desires party support for public office,
should be gratefully received and that a
return of favors should be both expected
and bestowed?
The election Of United States Senators
by popular vote would be the best cura-
tive of that evil. 1t is an evil in more ways
than one. ii a legislator is once corruptly
Influenced, whether in the way we have
indicated or by some other direct means,
he is liable to be Influenced again to dc
something that his unbiased judgment
and sense Of honor would forbid. The
descent into a certain place is easy. Sc
is any downward path. And the starting
point with some previously incorruptible
men has been the incidental bribery Of
needy legislative candidates by wealthy
senatorial aspirants.
We have seen no sound reason advanced
against the election of United States SEN
ators by the people. The principle Of
senatorial representation by states would
not be affected by it. Each State, small
or great, would send its two senators tc
Congress. The argument that Legislators
elected by the people would be better able
than the people to make an intelligent
and wise selection, lacks solid founda-
ton. The stream does not rise higher
than its source. And whatever might be
said about that, convention of dele
gates chosen by the people can just as
we'll select for the SURFACES of the people,
two United States senator's as they car
state senators and state representatives.
Moneyed candidates for this high Office
usually find it easier to effect their object
through state legislature than through
the body of the electors. Sometimes it costs
utenough to buy single vote. Often the
desire OF the people are set at naught by
state legislatures, and men whom the
people would repudiate at the polls are
chosen by a bare majority and that
brought about by strategy and deals
that are in the spirit if not the letter
of bribery.
There are traces in the national Consti-
tuition and some of the earlier laws, of the
aristocratic and monarchial leanings OF
HAMILTON and the Federal party. They
should not be perpetuated. The true
Democratic principle OF popular govern
ment would be better brought into prac-
tice by the election of United States Sen
ators at the polls than by the present
method, and the growing sentiment in
its favor is hopeful sign of progress in
the right direction.