The record-union., 1899-02-16
THE SENATORIAL SITUATION.

The fact that a lot of cheap. devices
are proposed to avoid a party caucus,
and yet to get into concert part of the
influences operating upon the selection
of United States Senatorial cafldi
date for the Republican party, is the
strongest of reasons for a general eau
Gus or council, with an open ballot
and free expression.
For 1t must be apparent to any rea-
soning being that if it is right and adj
visable for a portion of the Republic
ans advocating the elevation Of some
of the several candidates to meet in
caucus, it is wiser and far more desdr-
able that all should caucus. The Re-
publican party cannot act as party
through factions. 1t never has won
genuine victory by factionai tactics. 1t
has never been great in triumph or de-
feat except when acting as a political
unit. strong, united, crystallized about
party principle, and held together by
the orderly discipline of party rule
The State. as non-political body,
Is profoundly interested in having this
Senatorial matter put out of the way
as soon as is possible. Its business is
seriously retarded by the deadlock; en-
ergy, thought and time that are due to
1t. and for which it pays it's represent
atfves, are diverted into channels which
deprive the State of what belongs to
1t in legislation. It is in State interest,
therefore, that the dominant party
should get together it's membership in
the Legislature and agree by the usual
sound and defensible party methods
of reaching agreement upon candi-
date for the Senatorship It is ex-
pected Of the party by the people that
1t VIII do this, and no longer permit
personal ambitions, false ideas Of 10y
atty, selfish preference, pledges. trades
or bargains to stand between the dis
posa1 of this part of legislative duty
and the larger Office of considering pro-
posed laws
California must be represented in the
United States Senate by two Senators.
Just at this time, when the interests of
the Pacific Coast are most in the
thoughts of our people; when our COM
mercial Importance has become ma
tional concern; when the policy of the
Federal Government, which must have
the approval Of the Senate, is to deter
mine the destiny of this and its sister
States Of the coast, We need full rep
reservation in the Senate. Whatever
prevents it will be in the nature of
crime. 1t is not question so much
as to who the man shall be as that
some man shall be chosen who is
agreed upon as the candidate of the
Republican party.
The enemies to the traditional meth
DDS of arriving upon that ground of
agreement make secret no longer their
luminosity in the matter and its selfish
origin. They are of three or four
classes, each, however, sounding COM
none" Such ami attitude is unpatriotic;
1t is un-Republican; it is shameless and
discreditable to modern intelligence 1t
is a dog-in-the manger policy these OPP
ponents to the party agreement advo-
cate. They appear to think that there
is to be gained some sort of notoriety
that viii be mistaken for courage or
glory in standing by chosen candidate
when that stubborn holding fast will
positively prevent the selection Of any
a 70 rr1, I,ac
These opponents are piling up for
themselves wrath against day
of settlement whem the party calls
upon them for an accounting of
their stewardship. Reference to this
logical result, this inevitable out
come, proved such by all human
experience, is sarcaetically treated
by the offenders as cracking the whip,
as coarse threatening, as the applica-
ton of some sort of lash, as indicat-
i've of an order of revenge to be
accomplished by some power that is to
be feared; therefore, it is argued, it is
the indicative of courage and manll-
ness 10 stand out against the demand
for a-speedy election.
All this sort of evasive sarcasm is III
timed, ineffective and damaging most
to those who employ it. The result
the inevitable result-of refusal to give
the party a candidate at once: of &C
ton or non-action that will wreck the
party hope of electing Senator at the
4 next Legislature, or that will leave the
seat of Stephen NJ. White vacant for
the next two years, is in no mans keep
ing, and can be stayed by no mans
hand. 1t is the certain and unavoid-
able outcome of the policy of the oppo-
sition- 1t will be the logical, the inev-
liable conclusion of a course which
cannot be pursued with avoidance of
it's penalties
Like natural laws, those of party or
ganization and political concern carry
their penalties. Let a party offend the
people, and punishment follows. Let
group of legislators representing a
party trust violate it, and it will be i'm
possible to prevent the application Of
the penalty for incompetency, treachery
or party betrayal In the interest of pri-
vate ambition, or by reason of stupid
ity or false estimates of duty.
ANTI LEGISLATION.
1.of. tho Toe~-