The record-union., 1893-01-19

MS influence to elect Senator against his
| constituents desire. Who do those who
eIected me want? is the material question
that you all address to yourselves. You
are satisfied and find your justification
when you know that your support has
peen given in the direction suggested by
/ tne majority of those who sent you to the
capitol. But this line of proce lure, OBJ
Vlous!y correct, is, after all, but an admis-
sion that you are but agents appointed to
! declare the peoples wish, and this neces-
sarlIy lnvokes the concession that your
principal Is competent to elect a Senator.
| IhlS view is no doubt at variance with
the theories of our earlier statesmen; but
II is the outgrowth of political evolution
winch, sweeping away preconceived no.
lions, lmperiously asserts its mastery.
Inc decisive expression which is evinced
oy the late vote upon this subject leaves
no room for controversy here.
our rivers and harbors should be i'm
proved and made ample for the purposes
OF commerce. | will do my best to aid
our eIhclent Congressman in this work.
Inc great waterways of the State must. as
lar as practicable, be placed in navigable
condition. In the competition thus per-
united is found the protection of the agri-
culturallSt. EXtortionate freight charges
| cannot be maintained where these natural
highways are available. We have not
had our share of Federal aid in this re-
gard, and our people rightfully demand a
more liberal policy.
The Congress of the United States is
now lnqulring into the relations existing
| between some of our transcontinental
railroads and the Government. While
we should deal fairly by these corpora
uons, and while we must be ever Just, re-
gardless OF The personality OF those with
whom we are brought in contact, we
should, nevertheless, remember that the
people expect their representatives to
maintain and enforce all contracts made
with these railroad corporations. AsI
understand it, the duty to pay debts in
CURED and to discharge obligation as
sumed is shared alike by individuals and
corporations. Favoritism in this regard
| is intolerable, and healthy public opinion
Will not permit an evasion or subterfuge
/ upon this issue, and l viii be found here
as elsewhere, in full sympathy in word
and action with the platform of my party
and the sentiment of my State.
trust that | may to some extent aid in
the passage OF the character of legislation
which will enable the mining industry of
our State to be prosecuted under such cir
cumstances, however, as to avoid inter-
ference with agricultural pursuits. and so
as not to obstruct the free navigation and
use OF our streams. If mining can under
this limitation be carried on land it aD-
pears possible that it can bel. it is un-
necessary to point out the benefits that
VIII accrue to all from this renewed ac-
tlylty and vitaliZation Of an almost aban-
doned industry. Our resources cannot be
too varied, and we should be loath to
abandon any Legitimate means afforded
vancement.
l trust that those of you who have not
found IL possible to support me, will not
imagine that Tor this or any other cause
harbor unfriendly sentiments towards
you. Our Government cannot long en-
dure unless we all pursue the line Of ac-
tlon indicated by our sense of right and
deVlate from our accustomed way only
when reason and patriotism require.
Some OF you hold opinions in many par
tlcularS widely variant from mine; but
the welfare OF our republic is our mutual
aspiration. We differ as men of inde-
pendence will as to the route to the land
OF promise; but we all desire a conmon.
joyous realization Of our national dreams
and hope for our nations greatness and
the happiness OF our telIow-man. While
1 shall be loyal to the principles of my
party and faithful to that platform which
L, to small extent, aided to construct
and to which [ have given my adhe-
sion and to whose advocacy | have
contributed my best efforts, l will, never
theless, expect and hope to be the repre-
1
win applause | must gain it by fealty to
all OF you, and to those whom you repre-
sent. This democracy belongs to the
American people. 1t is the crystalliza-
ton and naturalization of their political
will. Here is the spot upon which Lib
erty may stand uncontending and
adorned with triumph of peace-a per-
manent abiding-place, around which
storms may battle, but which shall re-
main untrembling and unWorn, | trust
L fully appreciate the nature of the great
honor OF which l am the recipient L
hold that the Senate of the United States
is the lottiest legislative body on earth.
he who enters it by honest methods en-
joys privilege more honorable than
does the possessor of a scepter. But [
would be unworthy of this dignity
If | did not also recogniZe
that its conference means the imposition
of corresponding burden. The individ-
val does not become better or more able
or less vulnerable because he has been
elevated by free people to place of ex-
allied trust; but he does thereby assume
increased obligations, to the discharge OF
which must be brought that combined
energy, ability and honesty which can
alone justify his aspiration and the favor
able Judgment OF the people Iipon if.
W neither shall be successful is matter
for future solution; but l approach the
judgment seat of the people whose repre-
sentatlyes have preferred me, and who
are to finally decide upon the merit of
my action, in no spirit of yaunting con-
tidence. l Shall feel throughout my term
that l have not sufficient ability to sue
ceed without labor, and that it is only bv
unremitting toll, tireless exertion and
faithful effort that l can hope to maintain
that partial feeling which has raised me
to this station.
Proud of the land of my birth, solfciti
GUS for its continued progress, cherisbinp
the rcmembrances of that California
hearth-stone round which gathered
tender memories ineffaced by the flight
of years, pledge to the performance Of
my duty no great ability or extended
experience; but the best that an earnest
man can give.
Once more accept my gratitude. To
you who have been my advocates. in
cluding in the front rank the press of the
State so loyal to me, l have nothing else
TO bestow for the laurels which you have
woven. To those who have opposed me
| have no word of censure. Thev no
doubt acted as conscience dictated. If the
motives Of any were ulterior-and l do
not so assert-this day furnishes alike
my triumph and my revenge.
BRETZ, THE REFORMER.