The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-06

NIFTY, the ability or the p0pu-
larity of the United States senate.
The legislature Of North Dakota seems
inclined to return Mr.. Hansbrough.
Hansbrough is one of those accidents
that happen in new communities.
AS far as his performances in the SEN
ate have been of sufficient note to at
tract any attention, they have been
ridiculous, rather than Objectionable.
That the man has no strong convictions
was shown by his position on the sill
Yer question. He was an ardent free
coinage advocate until he found that
his reelection would depend upon his
attitude toward his partys platform.
He turned tail as soon as 1t was neces-
sary, and thus advertised the fact that
his vote may be had for good money
or bad money, according to his person
al political needs. No such man as this
ought to sit in the United States sen.
ate, but Hansbrough's return is prob
ably.
South Dakota promises nothing bet
ter. Senator Kyle has, indeed, been
consistent in his record, but it is con-
sistency on the wrong side without
even an occasional lapse into sensible
action for the sake Of expediency. He
has been an advocate Of every scheme
brought up for debasing the currency
OF the country, and for changing its
government into a soclaIistic despotism.
He has not a single idea in sympathy
with those Of the founders of the re-
public. His presence in the senate is
an injury to South Dakota and to the
nation. Yet he is in the lead in the
race
In the legislature of Illinois the whole
hight is as to whether that state will
De represented in the senate by a GRO
ny and sympathizer of the Chicago
boodling alderman, as the successor
OF the grand old Democrat, Gen. Pal
mer. Mr.. Madden. one of the alder
manic ring, has set up his standard.
and 1t is actually questioned whether
the friends of decency and good gov
eminent can muster enough strength
to defeat him. A Madden in the United
states senate might not be able tn
make 1t much worse than it is. but he
would advertise more conspicuouslv to
the country its progressive deteriora-
ton.
In New York state the Republicans
OF the legislature will get down upon
their knees before their boss and idol
ana offer the senatorial nomination on
a gold platter to Mr. Thomas c. PIatt
The greatest state of the Union the
| state first in population and in wealth
the state where the people pride them
selves upon their intelligence and
| progress, the state containing the mo
| tropolis Of this country and one of the
| foremost cities of the world is NOT
able to get up even decent semblanca
OF opposition to the election. by it's
legislature, Of a man who renresents
corruption in politics and nothing else
Senator Hill was boss and the ovra,.
OF machine. But Hill is also a
natural leader Of men, and a man with
some yieWscon public questions that are
not either wholly uninteresting or Who'll
| ly base. No one can say as much for
Tom Platt.: He is the embodiment of
the political machine, the spoils sys
tenn in politics and the control of no.
lltical power by the collection Of money
as political blackmail and the distribu-
ton Of it in political brides. This is
| the man against whom, in the IegisIa-
ture of the Empire state it will not he
possible to muster corporaIs guard
Of votes for another candidate an amj-
nent lawyer, man Of irreproachable
character and man Of high and noble
| views on public questions, Mr.. Josenb
H. Choate
With Plat riding rough-shod over
Choate, with Madden leading in Illinois
and Kyle and Hansbrough in the Da-
kotas, we fail to see any sign Of bet
! terment for the federal senate. We do
not believe that there will be or can be
any until an election by popular vote
| is decreed. The people do not by any
means, always select or support ideal
candidates. But it is seldom, indeed.
| In our experience, that they fall so
low in their choice as the state legis-
latures, with which powerful interests
that seek control of the senate find it
| so much easier to deal.