The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-02-13
A HINT TO THE REPUBLICANS
OF OREGON


OF OREGON,
II is not doubted by any intelligent OBJ
server Of public affairs in the United
States that II United States senators were
chosen directly by the people. many who
now occupy seats in that body would
never have obtained senatorial honors.
Unfortunately it is not within the power
OF the people OF any state to provide for
the choice Of United States senator's by
popular elections The Federal eonsti-
tuition. that Is the paramount law. directs
that senators shall be elected by the iegis-
latures OF the respective states. and until
the supreme law of the nation be amend
ed there can be no departure from the
present method OF choosing senators,
Notwithstanding this constitutional i'm
pediment. 1t Is possible for the people Of
a state TO control, nearly or absolutely
The choice Of senators by the legislature.
II has been common in some OF the mid
die Western states TO nominate candi-
dates for United States senators. as nom
inees for governor are selected. by a
state convention, and the people thus
know precisely for whom they are voting
for United States senator when they vote
for members of the legislature. a mem
orable contest of this kind was that be-
tween Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A.
Douglas in 1858. in Illinois They were
both selected by their respective parties
in state convention: they took the stump,
debated jointly in different sections of
the state. and Lincoln seemingly carried
the popular vote but Douglas carried the
legislature In the last contest in Hi
nols the Democrats nominated Mr.. Mac
veagh. and the Republicans, while max
ing no formal nomination. were practical
Iy united on Senator Cullom.
Another method Of aseertaining the pop
ular will on the question Of United States
senator was adopted in Pennsylvania in
1894. when Quay was a candidate for re-
election. Representative Dalzell was the
leading candidate of the anti-Qnay ele-
ment. and in a number OF the prominent
Republican counties Of the state a direct
vote was had for senator at the Republi-
can primaries, resulting in a large popu-
lar majority for Quay. This method is
a very direct one, and gives every oppor-
tunity for a party to emphasize its pref
erenee for the best man for the response
bic position of senator.
1t will be remembered that in the IA
nous contest in our legislature last win
ter the excuse urged by members Of both
branches OF the legislature for prolonging
tho fight against Senator Dolph--eVen
after the contest had been settled by
caucus nomlnation-was that they
were holding out in response to direct
appeals representing the popular senti-
ment Of their constituents. Thus the
idea that the people are TO be consulted
in the choice to be made for United States
senator by the legislature will not be
rev in Oregon, and since it is perfectly
understood all over the state that the bat
tie OF the last legislative session Is to be
fought over again in the coming session,
experience dictates that the best way to
avoid dispute as to the real sentiment OF
the people and at the same time insure
the attention of the legislature TO other
important functions during its limited
session is to obtain a direct popular ex-
preston as TO the choice Of Senator
Mitchells successor in advance of the
meeting of the legislature.
While the state committee has no au-
thority to call for any such vote at
local primaries, It is entirely within the
power OF the Republican committees in
the various counties of the state to have
direct expression from the Republican
people on the question of the next United
States senator, and there is no reason
why it should not be done. All that is
necessary is fo- the !o cal committee OF
any county, in calling the Republican
primaries to nominate local officers, to
provide for a direct vote on the ques-
ton of the senatorship, and to print the
names OF all the known candidates on the
llCktl. hOhAN ANSNAN 80
very general expression Of the party
throughout the state. and the legislature
would certainly respect the choice of the
party expressed in that manner.
1t may not be likely that any one can
didate would carry a majority over all
others, but 1t would be an unerring fin
ger-board to guide the legislature in Sc
lecting a senator who would be most in
accord with the great mass OF the Re-
publican voters of the state. There is
ample time to put into operation this plan
fer avoiding the errors and animosltles
which came so near wrecking the party
last winter The choice of United States
senator can thus be brought into the
closest possible relation to the expressed
sentiment Of the Republicans Of the state,
and no good Republican who is pros
pective candidate will object to such a
method Of testing his popularity and
claims to the office.
The senate has been devoting much