The San Francisco call., 1898-12-03
THE SENATORSHIP.

| II oo do we. Personalities in the sense which we suppose to be by the Tribune have not so far been used by The Call nor will they be used in fu- ture
 An examination of a mans personal fitness for the great office is using personalities against kln and 1t is due to the State that such examination be made
 The Tribune says "Throughout the contest there is no occasion for anything but the riendliest feeling among bidders for the prze'
 That may be true also. If any number of men are bidding and the place is to be knocked down to the highest and best bidder it is mere business tram saction and there is no room for personal feeling in business.
 But how is it with the people who to be repre- sented with the press which must defend the selec- ton made by its party and with the State which has reputation at stake ill the manner of man sent to represent it in the greatest legislative body on earth?
 The bidders may be friendly. Competitors for the honor, who not bidders for prize, may meet and dwell in amty But outside these the people vitay concerned. The office of Senator is important now in any period of history The air is filled daily with descriptions of the importance of the Pa cifc Coast, and with afirmations of Calfornas en- larged leadership of this side of the continent The era upon which we are entering is one in which the most profound and delicate questions of public and international law must be discussed in the Senate. Occasions as great as that which brought the constitutional debate in which Webster and Hayne immortazed themselves are already above the horizon.
 For the highest part in the coming intellectual ac tvities, the Senator whose place is to be filled is entirely qualified The Republican party here and the State of California will go to judgment the man. of to take his seat. Is it possible that party has in its ranks of capacity con- parable with his? The roll of Senatorial material has been called and many have answered to their names Many of them have qualities that mark them fit Some have none. Is it necessary to go down the class marked by cipher, as having required qualihca- tions and pass the list marked with the minus sign and hunt for candidate among the decimals? If the push insist upon Colonel Burns, his fitness must be examined not in the interest of any rival candidate but in the interest of the State and people. When we enter upon that examination the fairest mind in the State can find only disquaiications to discuss This is as painful to say is the necessity for saying it. It is not uttered n rancor for we feel none.
 To properly fill Senatorial seat from this or any other State must have scholarly training some intellectual grasp of the science of government trained mind a fair acquaintance with history, and practical experience which can apply knowledge to the concerns of the people None of these figures in the equipment and mental assets of Colonel Burns.
 A man fit for Senator must have nice sense of
  and this must be proved by his record Can any evi- dence of it be found in the record of Colonel Burns; in his former discharge of official duty; in his ac- ton under fire; in his avoidance of vindication of his honor his neglect to make restitution to the State of thousands that it lost through him?
 Has there been anything in his subsequent career, in his chosen associates in the pleasures he pursue in his part in politics, that needs reward by the Senatorshp? Why should the Republican party, by selecting him for the Senate startle Christopher A. Buckley with sense of lost opportunity? He had as good right and by of his superior manner and better address better right, to pass from boss-shp to Senatorship than Burns has to make the same transit
 Why should. the Republican party elect Burns Sen ator and lose public confidence that before can carry California again 1t will have to follow him in pleading the statute of limitations? Do Republicans appreciate the length of time that must run before that be?
 Viewed from Colonel Burns point of sight it is pitiful that these things be said It is pitt u that his packers stand silent his record mute the utterance of his qualifications and pain fully wncng at the list of his disqualifcations But the Deof,le have not comoeed the exhibition Tho people have not called him from his chosen ways to expose naked reputation to the blasts of criticism The people have not invited him to exhibit all he has in lack of merit, preparation, fitness and disquai- cation and 1t is not their fault that good men feel like walking backward and dropping the mantle of oblivion over him.
 WORDS SPOKEN IN SEASON.