St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-27
HOW TO ELECT SENATORS.

mand the consideration of the people.
1t has grown out of the inordinate
wealth which the peculiar condition of
affairs In this country in recent years
has contributed to bestow upon individ
uals, and which has been acquired by
such methods and practices as to rem
der certain class. who possess it. un-
scrupulOns, Oyerbearing and oppressive,
incident to sudden wealth. and vino
have not hesitated to use it to advance
theiI political preferment.
1t may be said that these people have
only Just so far succeeded as to fairly
attract the attention of the people TO
them and their methods. No doubt this
is the prime cause of the present agita-
ton for the change of the manner of
selection, and it is safe to say that. now
the attention of the people has been
called to it, the end of the success of the
class referred to Is already in sight.
A fundamental principle or rule,
which has proven to be so salutary and
we'll founded in all the past, should not
be changed to meet temporary exlgen-
eies or practices, which can be so read
lily corrected by appeal to public opin-
ion for honorable and honest methods.
Ii the corrupting and baneful use of
money is to continue, is it at all proba-
able that its influences and purposes
can be effected more readily through
the inter mediaJy of the legislature,
composed as it is. or should be. OF men
who have pride of character, aspira-
lions for preferment. and who are In
the main representative citizens, than
through popular conventions, ordinarily
composed of delegates who represent
the caucus boss, rather than the people?
These conventions are exposed to all
the corrupting influences which can
possibly obtain to WELD and control
public affairs, and it would seem that
the fathers of orr constitution, and who
laid the foundation OF our government.
were most wise when they enacted that
the primary work of the people. look
ing to the selection of representatives
for the highest legislative department
! In our government, TO give assurance
| of fitness to perform the functions so
important. as suggested by Hamilton.
should undergo the wholesome and
salutary preparation of being filtered
through the legislature.
Another obstacle suggests itself. 1t
seems to be conceded that each state
shall be equally represented, and
thus a senator becomes the repre-
sentative of the state. 1t ought to fol-
low that they should be chosen, if
elected by the people. by at least
majority vote. Otherwise they might
represent, as does our present governor,
! meager plurality. 1t is clear that this
would not be asSented to, else the SEN
ator would stand upon no higher footing
than the member of the lower house,
and that department of the national
legislature might as we'll be abolished.
1t majority vote be required, it is
hardly possible that any election would
ever occur without sufficient number
| OF candidates to so divide the vote as to
prevent an election by the people. so
that the determination as to who
I should represent the state Ill the United
States senate would be very likely to de-
volve upon the legislature. No other
body within the state would be en-
| powered todetermine it.
81. r. WELLS.