St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-12
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HON. SEAGRAVE SMITH.


Judicial District
1t is very evident that some new sys-
TEN should be adopted in the selection
of United States senators. When our
government was formed the idea was
that senators, instead of being the direct
Representatives OF the people, as were
the members Of the lower house, were
the representatives of the sovereign
state. Thus, men we're selected for
that position from the people Of the
state at large who were deemed to be
the best fitted for the place-men of in
tegrity and of superior ability in states
manShip-who, in the performance of
their official duties, represented their
constituents, and never, without good
causes therefor, devia ed from the line
of as policy laid down by the party they
represented in the platform adopted by
its national convention, which was sup
posed to declare the wishes of the peo-
pie through their chosen delegates. The
enactment of laws in the Interest OF the
people and for the people was their
primary object.
In this there has been great
change within the last thirty years,
commencing with the money initiation
during the war and extending to the
present time. During this time individ-
uals have become immensely rich. To
satisfy their vanity or ambition or both.
or for some other selfish purpose, they
have, it is claimed (and which we be-
lieve), purchased, either by the promise
and bestowal of political positions or by
cash paid to corrupt legislators, seats
for themselves in the United States SEN
ate. During the same time large amounts
of capital have been concentrated
in corporations and trusts. 1t is claimed
that they, too (Which we believe). have
invaded the legislatures of the several
states and cOrruptly purchased seats in
the senate for men who are to promote
legislation in their intereSts-who are
the servants OF the corporations and
trusts and not of the people-who, when
the people request them to carry out the
policy of the party they represent, as
declared in its national platform, heed
not their requests, but stubbornly stand
for the interests of their creators, even
to the great detriment of the general
business interests of the country.
The first-named class are usually in
competent and wholly untitled to fill the
positions they occupy. The last-named
class are the ableSt men of the state
they pretend to represent. such as cor
porations and great moneyed institu-
tions always employ to do their bust
P1yr nf hi ifr,
they are the more dangerous to the ill.,
terests of the people.
The system of electing United States
senators by the legislature, as it is now
and has been for number of years
past conducted. has a pernicious and
demoralizing influence on the legislative
body. 1t has resulted in corrupting
its members. and induced some of them
for consideration to indorse and vote
for other schemes and measures in the
interest of corporations and moneyed
institutions which are detrimental to
the public good. When a member has
once debauehed himself and bartered
away his manhood he becomes more
susceptible to the same kind of indu-
ence, and will more readily yield to Of
1erS, Wnlcn are always at manu- III ana
about every legislature, for the support
OF measures in the Interests of CONSOLE
dated capital and against the interests
of the people.
The practice adopted recently by the
Democrats in Illinois, in nominating
candidates for the United States senate
III their state convention, is commenda-
bic and great Improvement as an at
tachment to the present system, which
leaves the whole matter with the legis-
lature. Our opinion is, however, the
best plan to be adopted would be
to elect senators by vote of
the people. We might not in that
way always get the most suitable
man for the place, but we would get men
of suffi Gent ability, who would be in
sympathy with the common people,
who would consider themselves the
servants of the people and act for their
interests. and not III the interests of the
mOnopoliSt If there has ever been a
time in the history of our country when
the voice of the people should be heard
in the United States senate, tits now. We
hope that the time will soon come when
the basis of the national and state legiS-
lation Will be 1.-THE greatest good to the
greatest number"
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