The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-29
THE NOMINATION OF A SENATOR.

The proposition to have the state conven-
ton nominate or indorse a candidate for
United States senator has excited some dis
cussion among Republicans throughout the
State, and expressions in the press both for
and against. 1t was natural that a prop
osition involving new departure in politi-
cal methods, for this State at least. should
develop some diversity of opinion, but the
discussion has been in the best of temper
and with an evident desire on the part of
all, including the senatorial aspirants to
reach right conclusion and abide by the
will of the majority Awaiting itself of the
privilege exercised by others, the Journal
desires to express itself against the prop
osition Its reasons for taking this view are
general and special. In the first place it
must be admitted by all that senator oc-
cupies different status from a represent
alive. The latter is distinctly a represent
| alive of the people, nominated and elected
by Them while the former is as distinctly
representative Of the State at large The
theory and history of the Constitution of the
United States make this too plain for argu-
ment. Not to mention other points, the
fact that the Constitution provides that
Representatives shall be apportioned ac-
cording to the number of inhabitants and
be elected by the people, while it accords
two senators to each State, regardless of
population, and provides that they shall be
chosen by the Legislature thereof, shows
that there is a fundamental difference in
the nature of the two bodies. The theory of
the Constitution is that the choice of a sem
ator should be left, as far as possible to the
Legislature last elected by the people before
the senatorial vacancy occurs, and anything
which tends to control the action or re-
strict the choice of the Legislature or
majority of it's members in joint convention
contravenes. to that extent, the theory and
spirit of the Constitution. 1t has been pro-
posed to make senators elective by the peo-
pie That could be done, but only by
amending the Constitution. AS it now
stands it clearly implies that the action of
the Legislature shall be untrammeled. The
law relative to the election of senators
says: 1.-THE Legislature of each State which
is chosen next preceding the time for which
any senator was elected TO represent such
State in Congress shall, en- the second Tues
OSS dllCI tic IHGGIlIS anu organization
thereof, proceed to elect senator in Con-
gress." ITO elect implies choice, but if a
majority of the members of the Legislature
are instructed there can be no freedom of
choice. AS long as the Constitution remains
as it is, it is best to conform strictly to its
theory and spirit.
Passing from general to special reasons
the Journal is of opinion that it is fairer to
all the senatorial aspirants and more con-
ducive to party harmony and success to
leave the Legislature free to act without
any instruction or other pressure than that
of public sentiment Nomination or indorse-
ment by the convention would either benefit
one candidate at the expense of the rest
| or it would not. In the first case it would
| be invidious and unfair, and in the second
| case it would be idle. Besides, the conven-
ton always meets many months in advance
of the meeting of the Legislature. Many
things might happen after a nomination by
the convention to change the situation and
cause regret that the senatorial question
had been foreclosed.
Another argument against nomination by
the convention is that in that case every
Republican nominated for the Legislature
would go before the people as the personal
| representative of the senatorial nominee,
rather than as the representative of a State
or party policy or the interests of his local
constituents In many instances that would
be to the disadvantage of the candidate
Still another and a very obvious argument
against the proposition is that the nominal
1
the election would have tendency to ee-
prive the party of the active services of
some of the other candidates and their
friends during the campaign, and thus per-