The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-28

an intelligent people. I'm n canvass OF
months duration and maintain his right
10 seat in the Senate when his nomna-
ton had been purchased at the hands OF
State convention. We do not claim
that this change would destroy the use
OF money I'm the election of Senator's but
we believe IL a fair inference, II not de-
monstrably true that 10 would lessen tho
opportunities for its use. and would so
scatter the elem, nts upon which money
could be used successfully that it9 use
would be greatly mlnmized. and the po-
lltical scandals Incident 10 Senatorial cleo
lions I'm the past would fast fade away
In a great State OF the Union. but
few years ago. at tn, opening Of the
Legislature I'm which a Senator was 10 bee
selected a minister invoked the divine
blessing on that body I'm the following
words
Remember. O Lord the welfare of
these Thy servants. gathered here in this
maelstrom of iniquty. fraud and corrup-
tlon. Thou knowest with what suspicion
this legislature IS looked upon by the
people OF this great state. Lord. deliver
as from the bribers and bribe-takers IN
our midst. and keep them from the ways
every hand. ana may their acts be right
eOus and rot corrupt
The best mode 10 prevent corruption IS
10 dcstccJ the means oy which 10 can boz
accomplished. II Is n vain 10 preach
temperance 20 the drunkard I'm the har-
room. and II we would purify tho sources
Of our political power fl must be- done by
lessening the temptation % those Who may
be amenable 10 its influence
The dual functions of the LEGISLATURE
make this change all the more desirable.
Primarily selected FOR the pre-
osorvation of the local rights
Of the people of tho State. and
will tend 10 tae development Of the peo-
pie in their local concerns. the Legisla-
ture which ls corrupted by the use or
money in the selection OF "a Senator be
comes from that time weakened IN its
moral force and It's usefulness greatly
impaired. II not destroyed. in the main
tenance OF the local interests of the peo-
pie whom they were selected 20 serve.
The man whose vote has been bought i'm
"a Senatorial election becomes the pollut-
cd fountain from which must flow UNFOLD
evils 10 tho people whom bee repr asents
I'm their local interests.
POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY.
There is another view. which 10 my
mind si,oo 1 Grst taosn the examination
- ,i,,. ,,,,o.,,io,, ,.,n,s conclusive az IN
tho nronriat,, ~ tine change. ours IS "A
,.'.,eeor.t9ti,o ,.,vlrnment and mo- prin-
ciule Socms 10 uc more deeply imbedded
D., "a. mind. or the ueoDlo (as IL was
clearly intended by the trainers Of the
Constitution that ir the nice balancing
Of powers between the different DEPART
ments. at least I'm the legislative depart
nonf mower and responsibility should go
L.nd i'm hand No nrinciple is more vil-
,,.tlo rono more iealouslv watched bv
a.. ne,rie rirbtfillv SO. than that thC.s
~ v.hom are committed the legislative
-. ~, ,t,.. ,,,,,...r,,,ent ehoiild ba amen
-. 60, ,t.fr ro,lnct in fine discharge
~ ,t,,eo ro,,,rs ~ some certain constitu-
,,..,. ,.bicb has the mower Of calling 10
,.,.,..,,,, ,t,.f- .,,,ert for q propor DISCHARGE
80 t,f, d,ties Tro ronroseuts a sovereign
.t,te ,rba irtangible. unseen. metaphys-
io,l "sover.iortv" Of the state is his con-
s,ttuerc,.
a.. ,,,.,,,,.l, res.r,.,ir M
'o' ,t.. INTO. and
p0"'' ,...7.,t. ~ .,... ,.o,.ornrn.r,
80 I.' ..l..,'r.. '',,r,o,,s which nou from,
q. M, . ..,i,, ,,.i,icrca az THINGS not
-, - .bo ,.isil,le evidences of
$50 - -, and int,neible is
"a for
w .I,',o. ,,.,.t.,, ,i,,,od Him oar ia
tro Governor who appointed him.
I'm ono sense he IS. as an men are. nm
der a moral obligation to discharge faith
fully the duties imposed upon them but
tho moral responsibility 90 DO right has
never been recognized as a sufficient bond
I'm the moral or business world. What
higher incentive could be imagined for
obedience TO the moral law than the ass
sirancc OF "a clear conscience toward God
and man. ami the happiness which fol-
lows the practice of virtue and the dis
charge Of OBLIGATIONS with correctness and
Gd,litv2 And yet the Ruler Of the Uni
verse has found il necessary 20 impose
mains and pcualties for the violation or
Ills laws and for tho maintenance OF NOR
alitv and virtue. Why are official ana M
diyidual bonds required or men IN the
discharge OF their business obligations
Is not the approval Of family. neighbors
and state a sufficient guard and ample
guaranty for the proper discharge Of fix
o., dutics2 Yet the business world finds
II necessary 10 add TO the natural incen-
tive 10 do right the addition Of pains ana