The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-02-08
SENATOR PERKINS INSTRUCTED
VOTE.

Senator Perkins declaration in the
Senate, that he was entirely opposed TO
the acquisition of the Philippines, but
would vote for it, as provided in the
treaty, because the legislature of Cali
1fOrnia so instructed him TO do, renews
again the discussion of the question
aswsfaether or not a Senator represents
merely his own State, or represents
the people OF all the States. The view
naken by the leading statesmen from
the adoption of the Constitution and
since, has been that if each Senator or
Representative was subject to the con-
troll of his immediate constituents the
Federal government would be crippled
IN it's efficiency For upon such a the
DRY of procedure the Senate could not
properly act on any measure until for
ty-fiVe States could be heard from.
The embarrassing question would then
arise, if the State Legislatures repre-
sent the people, why should not Sena-
tor Perkins, and those who agree with
dim, ask a vote of the people on every
important measure, instead of consult
ing only their representatives in the
Legislatures.
The writer's on political science do
not 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 if it is
an inconvenient and even disastrous
rule.
There is good reason for believing
that President Mckinley is not in favor
of Imperialism, burt he wisely inter
prets the language of the Constitution
to be such as to direct him to carry
out the will of the people Senator
Perkins ascertains 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
mas 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 is wise and
necessary. But the majority of States
do not see any immediate cash returns
in the acquisition, and therefore do
not act as promptly as the State of
California. :
The difficulty with Senator Perkins
position is, that if it is correct, he
cannot use his capacity or Judgment
in the Senate, and declares himself
to be the mouthpiece of a Legislature
that often does not express the will of
the people. His colleague, Senator
White in the Senate asks him If the
political dominance in the Legislature
changes, shall a Republican Senator
submit to the instruction of Demo-
cratic legislature" Senator Perkins
is not quite prepared to answer. Sen
ator White says his colleague practi-
cafly 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-
yictionS.
Perhaps he places a slight value up
on them, and regards convictions" as
n,iisances that one should get rid OF
in the quickest way.