Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-10-24
THURSDAY EVENING. OCT. "a 1895.

CERTAIN POLITICAL philosophers, in
Guiding ex-senator Edmunds, of YER
mont, and Congressman Harry Tucker,
of Virginia, have of late years discussed
pro and con the question of electing o.
S. Senators directly by the people
They have thrown SO much light upon
the question that the people have been
quite dazzled and overcome by their
briIliancy, and in their despair Ihave
turned aside to other topics. The
main ground for the proposed change
10 the Constitution is that an election
by the people direct, would be less apt
10 be affected by corrupt influences.
The end is highly important, and If we
could be sure that we could thus elimi-
nae corruption and improperinfuences
the change would be recommended
even by those most strongly opposed to
tinkering with the organic law. Which
ever side may be right in this contro-
versy, we are sure that the great minds
we have cited, and indeed all good citi-
zsns, regardless of party, would agree
that Senator of the United States
ought not to owe his election to federal
patronage. The theory of the federal
Constitution is that the Senate as well
as the House of Representatives is to
be body independent of the executive.
The representatives are chosen by con-
gressional districts and every two years
the people in this way have a voice in
the making of laws. They can frame
good laws, and if the executive pro-
poses mischievous, unwise or IN
patriotic projects, they can defeat them.
In like manner the Senators chosen by
the State legislatures represent the
States of the Union. One-third OF the
body goes out every two years. The
Senate chamber is supposed to be more
Independent and probably more con-
servative than the other branch. Most
assuredly if it is to answer the great
ends of the trainers of the Constitution,
it ought not to owe its composition to
the patronage or, to speak more &C
curately, the purchasing power of the
President. 1t is automatic to say that
the patronage of the President should
be conferred as public trust, and not
10 buy one of the branches ofthe nation
al legislature. & President who would
use it in this way would deserve not
only impeachment but undying infamy.
A President who allowed his secreta-
ries to do the same work in his behalf
is every whit as culpable as if he had
himself set in motion the springs and
forces of the patronage which is used to
corrupt the elections. The "pernicious
activity" of oficenolders, against which
Mr.. Cleveland aimed the famous and
ringing circular of his first administra-
ton can find no more fragrant example
than would be the attempt of the bread
and butter brigade in State to rob its
people of their privilege and select
Senator. We are moved to these oh.
servations by the singular spectacle
presented in the Kentucky campaign.
Senator Blackburn is a candidate for
the Senate to succeed himself. He has
been going from county to county for
months past appealing to the people to
sustain him, and stating frankly, boldly
and with the fervor of truth his politi-
cal views. The federal Office holders
are all against him. He has stated this
over month ago. They are banded
together, as were the Janissaries of old,
to control the State of Kentucky.
Every federal marshal and deputy
marshal, every internal revenue col
lector and every deputy, every gauger
and storekeeper, every postmaster and
his assistants; in short, ever federal hire
ling and pap-sucker is in the fight to
crush Mr.. Blackburn, if it can be
done by their united efforts. Why is
this? Is it simultaneous uprising and
spasm of political virtue-they having
a close monopoly of the article in the
State of Kentucky, or is it living
machine, obedient to some master
some great man from whom the stream
of bounty flows until the recipients feel
that something more is expected of
them than to lie in the sun and bask
in the great mans smiles? The spec
tacle is not savory or edifying. 1t
justifes all the energy of Mr.. Cleve-
lands ''pernicious activity" circular.
It demonstrates the wisdom OF that
document. 1t suggests the idea that if
Mr.. Cleveland would return from At
lanta by way of Kentucky, and make
there speech on the lines of his old
circular, he would convince many peo-
pie of his sincerity, who now feel good
deal OF doubt. 1t would be a singing
rebuke to corrupt combination. The
election OF Blackburn is almost assured.
and for that purpose the speech would
not be necessary. But the Office hold.
ing crew would receive a much needed
lesson, and in the election for delegates