The San Francisco call., 1898-12-06
SENATORIAL QUALIFICATIONS.

THE discussion of Senatorial qualifications is not \ novel thing in California, nor should 1t ever
 become obsolete. The Senator represents the State. The office is peculiarly exalted by the con- stitution member of the House has term of two years and the President term of four years while Senator has term of six years. A Senator outlasts an administration and haf and covers three Con- gresses, three terms of Representative This ar rangement projects the State into affairs in such a way to assure continuity of policy. The Executive may change and the House does, but the Senate con- tinues beyond either and stands guard against the effects of cratic change in affairs that might njure the country.
 Therefore, there is no issue in their politics of greater interest to the people than the character and qualifications of the men who are to represent the wishes and the majesty of State in the Senate
 The San Francisco Post has often discussed this subject with singulary clear and elevated estimate of what a Senator should be. That paper, too is rather fond of girding Senator Perkins and taking the public into its confidence in its idea and measure of Senator Perkins disqualifcations As recently as the goth ult 1t had double-measured editorial set ting forth its opinion of his Senatorial demerits in which, by direction and implication it recorded its idea of what Senator should be- In this editorial the Post said.
 "In the person of Honorable George C. Perkins the
 
 by his environment rather than being himself con- trolling factor in 1t. What he will do under any given circumstances cannot be foretold for the very obvious reason that he entertans well defined opinion upon any question of statecrat In fact his staesmanshp is Of the amateur order Senator Perkins has been an industrious man, but his activities have been mercial rather than educational He has been so much engrossed in his successful commercial career that but limited time has been afforded him for mastering the lessons of history even studying the most primitive principles of civil government In the absence of well-dehned convictions as to the pur- poses of government, and what relation it should tain to the people, Senator Perkins IS statesman without compass rudder.'
 Yet Senator Perkins served in the California Leg islature, had successful term as Governor and brought all this public experience with him into the Senate His public life is free from scandals and his progress Tn official promotion has been brought about by the people themselves, before whom he has gone to judgment in the ballot-box. IT, with all this, the Post considers him unfit for Senator we would like the opinion of that journal upon the qualifications of Colonel Burns who desires to be Senator Perkins colleague. Has Colonel Burns found time, while achieving commercial success, to deeply inform him self in the lessons of history? Has he mastered the principles of civil government? Is he informed of the relations of government to the people? Has he hcLI-ucLHeQ opinions, based upon KnOWledge, Ot the various questions of statecraft with which he must deal?
 In fine, what qualification has Colonel Burns that Senator Perkins lacks? Has his public life been purer3 When set over few things by the people, was he so faithful to his trust to deserve to be master over many things?
 If the Posts estimate of Senator Perkins is cor rect, is there not all the more need to send as his colleague man who IS up the exalted measure of Senator set forth by that paper?
 Why is not the Post in the field saving the credit Of the State by presenting such man. pointing out his merits, giving list of his acts which prove his scholarship his mastery of history and statecraft and his honor unstained, as a Senator should be?
 If the Post is not belttling Senator Perkins from sheer malice, envy, wantonness it is doing that which is always unpleasant to journalist mourning personal hostility for the public good If so it cannot content itself and make its calling with the peo- pie by publishing its low estimate of the Senator we have, but must labor to prevent duplication of that which 1t affects to consider misfortune to the State