Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-02-02

N ever before IN the history of this
republic was there a greater necessity
for sending picked men to congress than
at the present time. No more impor-
tant questions ever came before this
country than are to be precipitated in
the house of representatives and the
senate in the next few years. The war
with Spain has opened up problems Of
administration whose solution viii re-
quire the best talent and the noblest
virtue Of which this country is pos
sessed
I'm the new policy Of our country
California has a peculiar interest. No
other single state has so much at stake.
To no other state does the acquisition
Of Hawaii and the Philippines mean
what it does to the Pacific coast. The
country has been congratulating itself
upon the happy issue Of the war and
has shared in widespread and uni
yersal admiration for our war heroes
Better men and more capable were
never drawn upon the stage of action.
And now look On the heels of
these new and unprecedented events Of
involving additional glory to our Amer
lean name and arms we in California
are confronted with the most astonish-
ing piece of effrontery that has ever
disgTaced the politics Of our land. 1t is
safe to say that never before in the his
tory of the United States was if ever
seriously proposed to elect TO the senate
man Of the standing and antecedents
Of Dan Burns
Candidate Lacks wealth.
"A senator should be a representative
man. What does he representa- Nothing
save that OF which honest and decent
citizens are ashamed Hestands for the
chicanery and skullduggery. the pollut-
ed politics of large city.
But Burns has not even wealth to
commend him, save his large salary de-
rived from dirty politics and an in
come irons a mine that he IS under in
dictment fer stealing.
Every man that works and votes for
him at Sacramento gets paid for it. Yet
already the chief executive of this state,
just honored with large majority Of
votes, has made threat as to patronage
that means sop to Burns. The action
of Governor Gage in this matter is as
founding and lasting disgrace TO the
state of California
1T is not to the interests of the Re-
publican party that Burns be elected. /
Pure selfshness would dictate his de-
feat. The only ones to be benefited that
I have heard of are the Democrats. who
are chuckiing over the possibility of the
Republicans making such fools of them
selves.
s'Our plain duty, then, yours and
mine is to form public opinion; is to
express our views in every legitimate
way and to use every possible influence
in favor of good government and as
against monstrous political crime like
this. The future promises great things
for America. but if the people choose
leaders like Burns, rottenness and ruin
viii eventually come to pass.
But Burns is not the only pebble on
the beach.
The California papers are full Of the
reeking senatorial scandal The speaker
of the house Of representatives of that
state is noSf being investigated ON the
charge Of being bribed By Mr.. Buck.
Grant agent, to vote for him Mr. B.
e.. is The son of Ulysses Simpson Grant,
and appears to think that money makes
the California senatorial mare go
Charges and eountercharges Of eorrup-
tion fill the air. and the end is not yet.
In the meantime, Santa Claus Stew
art has been reelected in Nevada. de-
feating Francis g. Newlands, who
gives out a stunning interview, winding
up by declaring that in the election of
Stewart '.the Southern Pacific railroad
scores great victory, all of which
goes to prove that senators ought to be
elected BY the people.