The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-07-31
IMMATURE POLITICIANS.

furnishes a mournful example Of the de-
moralization of politics upon immature
men. 1t is very remarkable fact that
in the selection of Assemblymen very in
ferior material is considered available.
and especially is this true OF the younger
element sent to the Legislature a po-
litical career tries the manhood of a man
more than any other profession upon
which he may enter. The excitement of
campaign, the intimate association of
the saloon with politics and the tempta-
tons which beset the legislator are things
which should not be incurred except at
period of mature manhood. A mans
character should be well formed before
he enters politics in the pursuit of any
off cial station. Many promising young
lawyers. and many young men whose
business career might have been brilliant
and distinguished, sink into obscurity
after mem bership in a single session Of
the Legislature, or after one term Of Office
in some clerical county position.
An observation extending over period
of thirty years has confirmed us in the
opinion that it is great mistake for any
man under the age of 30 to become a
candidate for the Legislature. Youth
is vulnerable to the chicanery, the cum
ming and the tiattery of the lobbyist
TO have been the youngest member ever
elected to the California Legislature is a
very vain boast. We do not recall a
under 80 years of age has distinguished
himself in after life, or who enjoyed an
enviable public career. The reason for
this is unmistak able. Character in a
state of formation should be kept as far
away as possible from flattery, from the
egotism, from the demagogism and the
lobby influence which beset the average
legislator. Only we'll formed character,
completely rounded and solidified, is fit
for a legislative career.
We should hail with delight constltu-
tional amendment making Ineligible for
the position of Assemblyman all those
who have not attained the age of 30-or
for the Office Of State Senator all those
who have not attained the age of 40 years.
Recently a convention of the county
Supervisors of the State of California was
held in San Francisco. Those who OBJ
served that body were struck with the
superior business capacity and superior
soldity of character manifested by the
assembled Supervisors. 1t is a matter of
common remark, "Why do not the peo-
pie of California send such men to the
Legislature?" A young man will deem
himself eligible for legislative position
who could not be elected Supervisor in
any district of his county; and yet legis-
lation is much higher function than the
management of county affairs.
But few of the younger element who
have held seats in the Legislature have
been distinguished for anything beyond
their subserviency to lobby influence,
while great majority of them have gone
from the legislative halls into immediate
obscurity. The enactment of law is q
prerogative of sovereignty. The people
of State are subject to the laws made by
a Legislature. Their highest interests, az
well as their personal liberties. are in
volved in legislation. A wide experience
of business, ripe judgment Of human
motive and familiarity with Statecrsft are
quite as important in State as in Con-
gressional legislation. We can recall no
! instance of any extremely young men
| ever having offered wise counsel in the
parliamentary proceeding of Legislative
| body. Men are not to be blamed for lack
of years, but there is very little legislative
wisdom to be found in the period of
adolescence. Whoever undertakes to
make law for free people should have
had a wide observation of the rela-
ton between Government and the pros
perity of the people governed. To turn
over the government of great State in
any measure to inexperience is foolish
from the standpoint of the people, and
! highly injurious to the development OF
character in the individual legislator. No
man should enter upon political career
until his character is fully formed, his in
| tellect ripened, his judgment enlarged by
| broad business experience and free and
| familiar contact with all conditions.