The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-21
A DEMAND THAT MUST BE
NEEDED.

has. from day to day stated to be the
fact that the demand it has made for
the party council Of Republican legis-
lators is not made in any personal In
terest or in advocacy of any private
ambition. It is not surprising. per-
haps, that those given over to the folly
of preventing an election should at
tempt to create the impression that
this demand, seconded by the indepen-
dent and Republican press of the in
terror far and wide, shall be interpreted
in advocacy Of this, that or the other
personal interest by indirection. Pre-
ciselys such skulking policies are to be
looked for from those whose misguided
ideas of party discipline are bringing
the Republican party to the verge of
ruin in this State.
As one among the influential news
papers of the State which labored I'M
ceasingly for the success of the Re-
ublican party In the last election, as
well as in the Presidential campaign.
this journal has the right-nay, it
would be derelict of duty if it remained
silent--to protest against a policy of
party suicide, as is advocated by those
who refuse to employ the traditional,
usual and only party methods possible
to ascertain the will Of the majority Of
the Republican legislators.
We demand in the name of the party,
as well as in the interest of the COM
monwealth, which just now of all times
in the world cannot afford to have a
seat vacant in the United States SEN
ate, that the deadlock be broken: that
agreement in open council by the ma
jority rule be achieved, and the candi
date named as the result be elected as
the law requires. We have steadfastly
presented this view and demand to the
Republican legislators as an imperative
duty imposed upon them and rising
superior to their likes or dislikes, their
prejudices or pledges.
AS chosen representatives of the
party we have held it to be plain duty
they owe to secure the election of
some one to the seat about to be va
Gated at Washington. We repeat once
more, that it is of far less Importance
who is chosen as the party nominee
than that some one should be selected
Immediately. and by the usual method,
namely by the voice of the majority in
party council ascertained, and to which
expression the minority, as in duty
bound should bow
These legislators were themselves
chosen In convention as party nomi-
nees, and the convention is but the
party caucus on a larger scale. All
party policy is determined in like man
ner by the rule of the majority senti-
ment. All party administration is d.
rected according to the same demo-
cratic method, the voice of the major
ity. No other can obtain and party
discipline be maintained so essential to
orderly effort and successful outcome.
1t must be obvious to all who con-
cider the Senatorial election matter
from the high plane of State and party
interest," that If this Legislature adj
journs without electing Senator, then
the Legislature to be elected in 1900
will have thrust upon it the choosing
of 81 United States Senator as a part of
dts duty in January, 1901. This will
put into the campaign of 1900 a SEN
atorial factor, which in regular order
would not there appear-a thing. by the
way, which the Democracy is exceed
tingly anxious shall come to pass, since
from that they expect to snatch vic
tory.
But II a Senator Is elected now, as
the law requires, as party expediency
and political wisdom demand, no SEN
atorial question will be before the peo-
pie In the legislative election of 1900,
sexcepte as to the twenty Senators who
will sit as lold-overs In 1902, how
ever, the Senatorial Issue will be legit-
imately and orderly before the voters
of the State. A default of election at
this time, therefore, will, we repeat,
.precipitate a Senatorial contest into the
next election In such contest, in the
present dasmembered condition of the
Republican party-and it will expand
sdn baIeful influence If not drastically
treated now--the Republican organiza-
tion cannot hope for such success as
will enable it to control on a joint bal
lot.
The dissensdon among the pretended
leaders will then have done it's perfect
work by defeating the party in the next
legislative election. 1t Is therefore not
surprising that journalistic influences.
in common with the high-minded and
loyal Republicans who are jealous of
party dissension and discord, should
demand that the deadlock of the pres
emit shall be broken; that by the only
known method of ascertaining the will
of the majority some candidate to be
voted for as the party choice shall be
fixed upon?
We assert again, as the Record I'm
ion has repeatedly done. that failure
upon the part Of the Republicans In the
present Legislature to elect a Senator
viii be a betrayal of a solemn party
trust. and that ii will as inevitably
bring upon the offenders punishment,
as that violation Of natural laws are fol-
lowed by the imposition Of bitter pen
alties.
We repeat. to permit default Of cleo
tion now. win be on the part Of those