The record-union., 1898-12-30
INSTRUCT THE SENATOR.

One Of the very first acts of the Leg
sslature after organization, and for
that reason if for no other organiza-
tion should be hastened, should be the
passage of the necessary resolution in
structing our Senators to vote for the
ratification of the treaty of peace with
Spain. Senator Perkins, through au-
-thorized publication in the press, has
stated that unless he is instructed to
the contrary he will vote against rati-
5lcation Of the treaty.
California is deeply, Immediately in
terested in the ratification of the COM
pact. But aside from that, her con-
Germ in National honor and welfare,
puts her strongly on the affirmative of
the question. Her people have very
distinctly and emphatically expressed
themselves as favorable to ratification.
They do not wish their State to be
placed in the list Of those whose tim
orous fears withhold them from taking
amy step toward assertion Of the i'm
portance and right of the nation among
the powers Of the world.
It is really unnecessary to discuss
the matter very much since we assume
that the legislators to assemble here
next week, will come up thoroughly
instructed by their constituents con-
cerning public sentiment on this mat
ter. California is emphatically in IA
vor of expansion, if by that is meant
the refusal to throw away the fruits
of a costly war. She is opposed to
turning back to Spain the unfortunate
people rescued from her tyrannical
grasp, or to committing them to in
evitable domestic disorder If at once
, forced to assume the duties Of self
government. Expansion was an issue
| that we have practically passed upon
at the polls, and California's verdict
; was rendered without any room for
| doubling its meaning.
In the late election it was here as
3t WAS in Pennsylvania, the Democratic
ticket represented the non-expansion
element. Such papers as the Philadel-
phia Record" a leading Democratic
journal, made the fight Of the cam
spaign upon the one issue of expansion
opposing the Administration policy
with vigor and acrimony. But sc
thoroughly were the people imbued
/ with the expansion idea, that they put
aside issues involving the retiracy and
punishment of thieving officials, in
order to emphasize the more their af-
'firmation of the expansion doctrine
SO in California the vote for the Re-
publican ticket represented the desire
of this people for retention of the fruits
OF the war.
However much men in California may
differ concerning the policy to be pur-
sued towards the islands after we have
ratified the treaty, we on this coast
are Of one mind, that the peace the
treaty assures should be concluded
That treaty cedes us the islands il
question and that is expansion. How
we will govern them afterwards il
another question. What we will dc
with them is a matter not affecting
the question of ratification. It is
enough to know that we are to free
them from Spanish rule. After that |:
fully accomplished. We will honestl.
debate methods Of control or disposal
It follows, therefore. that Senator
Perkins should not be permitted to mis-
represent the sentiment Of this State
as he assuredly will do, he declares
unless instructed to the contrary. He
has put it upon the Legislature to speal
IN the premises. He as much as says
If you are now silent 1 will take i
that you do not wish me to vote fol
fhe ratification of the treaty Of peace
with SPAIN" In this view Of the mat
ker, there is but one thing to do
namely, to instruct our Senators, and
that right speedily, that the influence
Of our example may operate upon Other
Senators.
THE TAX RETURN SCHEME.
- 10 i4oy