The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-26

nominate and elect the men whom the
people of those districts consider best
they would usually be found to be the
best for the entire community. Conced-
ing that there has been some alteration in
our governmental necessities since Amer
lean government originated, II by no
means follows that the principles OF repre-
sentation have changed. IL is true that
corporate power has become dangerous,
but how can it be met? There must be
public sentiment first, and then Legislators
must be elected who will voice that senti-
ment But who is best fitted 10 name
such men, their neighbors or the peo-
pie OF tho entire state2 Is it not
clear that those who have the bost
opportunities for knowing men will
ordinarily have tho best. judgment on
the subject No matter what problem ia
to be met, II the candidates are
to DO selected with reference TO that prob
lem they should bo selected by men who
know them. This is ono OF the chief
reasons for local representation. IL not
only insures a Knowledge OF local wants
by the representative but also insures. or
ought 20 insure. n knowledge OF the repre-
sentative by the people who elect him.
There is, no doubt, great deal OF careless
ness in the selection of legislative candi-
dates. They arc usually named last by
the convention. and too frequently are So
lectod TO balance tho ticket" TO satisfy n
faction, or 10 appease a disappointed can.
al
remedy for that carelossness seems TO DO
naturally the cultivation OF more intolli-
gent sentiment as to the importance OF
law-making.
Until that is dono we doubt II any rem
ody in the form OF government or in the
manner OF election can DO Of great value.
IL seems almost incredible that tho great
IN asses OF the people could come TO a state
In which they regarded legislation "a a
comparatively uninportant matter but Il
IL true. There is, in fact nothing more inn
| portant to them than tho laws under which
they must live. and yet the average voter
pays more attention TO almost any man on
the ticket than tho candidate for the lepis-
lature. The Legislature, in consequence,
Is not 30 diRniGed nor seii-respoctine a
| body as IL should be, and IL IN hardly
| necessary 10 saw that IL IN not 10 we'll fitted
for lis work as II should be. We do not
hesitate TO shy that the larger part Of the
blame for unsatisfactory legislation should
bo put on the people who complain OF A.
They are tho first offenders. They fail 10
nominate proper men. They fail 10 elect
| proper men. They do not take the inter
est in legislation that they should take,
They do not hold legislative offenders Ia
the strict accountability for their short
comings which is necessary to mako any
representative system successful.
But, 10 return to the proportional rep
reaentation, while we question it's appli'
are of the opinion that it can be utilized
in other fields. IL is certainly the best
plan for the election OF members OF the ma
tional house OF representatives that bat
been suggested, and unless some better
plan should be proposed we confidently
expect to SEQ it adopted for that purpose.
IL might possibly be- used also in the cleo
ton OF n state senate though there mr.,
some difficulties and dangers In the way
AS Prof Commons very Justly observes
AT present no one can tell just what on,
state senates do represent" Prshaps tht
division OF the state into four OF five dis
tricts from which senators should b,
elected on the proportional basis might b.
OF some service in giving the sonate
more satisfactory character.