Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-02-01
Conventions to Nominate U. s.
Senators.

Hon. j. G. Parker, of Franklin,
has written a letter to the Richmond
Dispatch in which be advocates par
ty nominations of candidates for the
United States Senate by State con
ventions or primaries, since it will
take some years yet to adopt an
amendment TO the national constitu-
ton allowing senators to be chosen
by the people. In support of the ne
cessity for resOrting TO such plan
Mr.. Parker introduces in his letter
an editorial from the Richmond Dis
patch, wherein that paper calls at
tention 10 an admission made by
member of the Montana Legislature
that he had been offered $4,000 TO
work for Clark, and also one made
by member of the California Leg
islature, that he had received $3.50
10 support son of Gen. Grant which
led the Dispatch to ask: "How can
the ablest and purest men be sent to
the United States Senate when, as
too frequently happens, the candi-
dates fitness and character are subor-
dinated to the length of his purse.
strings"
Mr.. Parker, while not willing to
concede that Virginia Legislature
will become the scene of such cor
rupt methods as those above related.
believes however that the election of
members to our next Legislature will
be attended with such spirited and
bitter contests over the [. :. Sena-
torship question as to endanger the
supremacy of the democratic party.
and therefore he would have that
question settled in advance by calling
a State convention and selecting for
the Legislature the candidate who is
the choice of the people. Mr.. Par
ker says that as he has not vet reach
ed a preference for the seuatorship.
it could not be charged that he was
submitting views in the interest of
any candidate.
1t is to be regretted that at the last
State convention of democrats that
the proposition of Hon. VIM. A.
Jones to nominate [. S Senators by
primary elections was not adopted.
This simplified the situation in view
of the fact that the Senate seems to
persistently ignore the trend of public
sentiment on the subject of selecting
metnou that can DC auopreo' Iof the
settlement of an Interesting issue.
For reasons that no one can fully
comprehend the choice of L. ).
Senator is made the most important
issue In the selection of candidate
70 the Legislature. II sometimes
happcns that man, representing the
people on reforms deemed advisable
and which he is eminentlv fitted to
present intelligently, is sidetracked
IN his progress towards the Legisla-
ture because Of his known views
touching the senatorial succession.
Again, there may be two or more
candidates for L. S. Senator and If
one of them is wealthy and the Others
have nothing but their ability and
character to recommend :hem, some
sspirant for legislative honors NAV
seek an understanding with the
wealthy candidate and without the
real influence at work being under
stood the bitter feelings spoken of bv
Mr. Parker are vitallzed in the con-
test for a seat in the Legislature.
With such examples as have been
furnished by number of Legisla-
lures within the past month touching
the election of L. S. Senators. the |
members of that body ought to be
convinced that decency and reputa-
bic politics will be subserved by en-
dorslng an amendment to the nation
al constitution allowing the people to
elect U. S. Senators. Certainly the
people are tired of seeing such un-
seemly legislative sqnabbles and Ct
hearing that seat in one of the leg
islative branches of our national gov.
eminent is dependent upon the free
opening of purse strings.
The court martial sitting in the
case of Gen. Eagan, ComEissary
General, who so bitterly reviled Gen.
AZ