The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-02-10
SENATOR PERkiNs INSTRUCTED
VOTE

Senator Iefkins declaration N the
tsen.is. that he vas entirely opposed 10
xhs aaauls ton OF the Philippine bat
xvald vote for II. a. provided In the
,rezay. because the legislature OF Cali
sornia ~ Instructed him 10 DO, reneNs
again the discussion Of the question
whether or not a Senator represents
neey his Own state. or represents
the pcop.a u all she States The view
taken by the leading Statesmen from
she adoption OF the Constitution and
s.noe. has been that n each Senator or
Representative was subject to the con-
Hul Of his immediate constituents the
Federal government would be crippled
an its efficiency. For upon such a the
ory Of procedure the Senate could not
properly act on any measure until for
ty-hye States could be heard from.
The embarrassing question would then
sTise. II the State Legislatures repre-
ssnt the people. why should not Sena-
cor Perkins and those who agree with
inifn, ask vote Of the people on every
important measure instead ~ consult
ing only their Representatives In the
Legislatures.
The writers ON political science do
mot agree with Senator Perkins in his
practice. although they must and do
agree with his underlying idea that
he. and all other representatives. must
enforce the will Of the people. This
Is the rule Of democracy. even II II 10
an announcement and even disastross
rule. 'S2l1
There Is good reason for believing
that President Mckinley Is not in favor
N Imperialism. but he wisely inter-
prets the language OF the Constitution
20 be such as TO direct him to carry
out the will Of the people. Senator
Perkins asccrtains that will by con-
sulting only the Legislature Of one
State. President Mckinley searches
for the will Of the people through the
declarations OF statesmen, politicians
and the press. But, unfortunately, he
has been for some months, calling for
a settled opinion from large nation
that has not made up its mind in the
matter. The prevailing belief in Cali
fornia Is that the acquisition of the
Philippines will be OF direct and i'm
mediate benefit to the Californians
Therefore. the acquisition IL wise and
necfSsary. But the majority Of States
Do not see any immediate cash returns
In the acquisition. and therefore do
Da act as promptly as the State OF
California.
The difficulty with Senator Perkins
position Is, that II IL IL correct, he
cannot use his capacity or judgment
In the Senate. and declares himself
20 be the mOutbpiecc Of a Legislature
that often does not express the will OF
the people. His colleague, Senator
White, in the Senate asks him: III the
political dominance In the Legislature
changes, shall a Republican Senator
Sts"h' W AH' ihbliu'NIuH VI Il l1tIHD-
cratic LEGISLATURE Senator Perkins
r. not quite prepared to answer. Sen
atOr White says his colleague practi-
cally advocates the lad referendum"
In ordinary matters OF legislation.
When Senator Lamar was instructed
by the Legislature OF Mississippi to
vote for free coinage, he replied that
the Legislature had no right to con-
troll his serious convictions. Senator
Perkins, on the other hand, invites the
Legislature to control his own con-
victions
Perhaps he places a slight value up
on them, and regards Convictions" as
nmsances that one should get rid Of
On the quickest way.