The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-19
THE ELECTION OF SENATOR'S.

I nth the return Of the of Senatorial
lAI elections there has come renewed demand on
the part of intelligent and patriotic citizens
for an amendment to the constitution providing that
such elections shall be held by direct of the peo-
pie instead OF by Legislatures.
The demand is not only renewed but is augmented
in force. At each successive period the scandal Of
Senatorial struggles becomes worse and the need Of
change more distinctly perceived. The advocates Of
the desired reform increase in numbers and in the
energy OF their efforts to bring it about Sooner
later such an amendment must be provided in the
general interests of the country and the it is
adopted the better
Bad as are the open and notorious evils that lie
the surface of Senatorial struggles in the Legsla-
lures, these by the greatest wrongs pro-
duced by the present system of election. Back of
them are other oenses which affect all the legislation
Of the session which such elections held, and
materially vtiate and corrupt the whole political de-
veopment OF the State.
The scandals that are more readily perceived and
exposed those of bribery either by deraying the
election expenses of candidate for the Legislature
or by the distribution of money afterward. Such
ofenses serious enough, since they enable cor
rupt men to advance to high office and prevent hon
esty and merit from attaining the honors they de-
serve, but their evil terminates, however, with the
election of the vicious candidate while there are
other ofenses that go further
Corruption in working its snaky way to high
office, rarely resorts to the purchase of votes by
money 1t uses such brides only for the lower grade
of rascas who in politics solely for Doodle 1t has
more powerful inducements or compulsions to bring
to bear upon the better grade of legislators and it is
by these it infcts the greater more reaching and
more enduring wrongs upon the State and the people
One of these indirect means of winning votes is
that of patronage For the purpose of promoting
the candidacy of corrupt his allies in Office dis
tribute the patronage OF the State among those who
will support him. Men who are utterly unfit to be
ntrusted with public service, and often those who
are VIGOROUSLY vicious and dishonest, given i'm
portant positions because they have influence with
some member of the Legislature and control his
vote for Senator Frequently Offices are created
for the purpose of increasing this patronage, and the
taxpayers thus burdened not only with ncom-
petent and base oceholders, but with considerable
number who render service whatever.
Another means is that of offering to furnish votes
for certain condition that the advocates
Of the measures will vote for the Senator to whom the
offered votes are pledged. Such combinations are so
frequently made it often happens that the legislation
OF whole session is determined by the pulling
and log-rolling of the Senatorial contest
The evils OF these elections are in fact so far
reaching they affect the interests of every class of
people and legislation OF all kinds Such offenses in
creasng with the years have now become ntolerable
1t is time to put end to them. Under the present
system, to attain Senatorship a candidate must
either have great wealth be backed by corporations
that supply him with wealth. Let us revive the
spirit of the constitution by amending the letter and
once more make the avenues to the Senate open to
integrity ability and patriotism so that the welfare Of
the State may be preserved and Corruption win not
more than honesty"