The state herald., 1900-06-15

punt Of beginning in accomplishing any
thing for themselves or the state, but it
has always been tresdmill grind after
the trailing banner OF some ambitious
candidate for the senate.
For nine months now there will be
nothing heard, or spoken, or written ex-
cept about this or that candidate for the
senate.
The state needs much new legislation,
but all such minor and vulgar things AZ
that will he cast into the outer rubbish
pile and the sacred duty OF wsging a
senatorial war and wearing senatorial
collar will be the occupation and diver
sion Of the next general assembly.
No person will be nominated for the
legislature this year in Denver, or nt
Monotony Water tank, in Colorado
Springs, or ut Deer Trail who will not
give copper bound pledge to some SEN
toiialcandidAte.
titness for the position, character and
standing in the community, ability tC
accomplish great and needed reforms
will not cut the slightest figure and
every candidate for the Legislature will
be left to enjoy the quiet Of private life
unless he pledges, deep hard and strong,
to support some particular candidate for
tue senate.
Probably ~ days Of the session. proba-
bly, all Of the session, will be taken up
with the senatorial contest to the OK.
clusion OF all other business.
No sooner will this legislature Hdjeurn
than will begin with the same old vigsr
and probably by the same old crowd =
scramble for Tsller's place to be filled
Ly the legislature next after the coming
one.
Then we will have swo more years Of
senatorial fight.
There is no such weakness or curse in
system Of government. as the present
method for the election Of the United
States senators.
All branches OF government would lie
infinitely cleaner. sbler and better in
state and nation il sen tors were elected
by direct vote OF the people.
Under the present system, no consta-
BILE, or mayor, or sheriff, or alderman,
or governor can he elected without the
controlling interest OF senatorial con-
test.
To cay that it leads into the darkest
depths Of political corruption and civic
rottenness is stating it mildly.
1t bl,ghts all honorable political am
Buttons and blasts the growth Of all
healthy political sentiment and renders
public Office an asylum for the contine-
ment Of those weaklings whe are willing
to take orders in the performance OF
their official duties under their official
oaths.
There are candidates for the senate in
Colorado today who, before the fever
entered their veins, stood for high
idsals in politics, for clesn methods and
honorable purposes. for the eXaltation OF
the state and the nbnegatiou Of the in.
dividual, but who are now wading in the
mire Of dirty ward politics, combining
with influences which are q menace TO
good government. breaking every OK.
press and implied pledge ever given to
the people, and there are others who
fesrlessiy advocate the rights OF the peo-
pie, but Who. now that the mama hae
seized the BRAN, are pasively still on all
questions Of future state government
and are silently content to SEQ all that
they stood and Tough. for annihilat~d
and crushed into powder rather than
chance losing vote for the senate by
consistently standing BY the cause Of
justice and right.
Colorado needs legislation covering a
variety OF subIscss in the next general
assembly and the people should sec to il
that candidates for the legislature are
definitely pledged to enact such lsgisla.
tion however many pledges they may
give to aspirants for the United States
senate.
What refreshing change 1t would
DO to elect = legislature just once to
serve the people and their lntsres,sl
II can be done vt any tims the people
are rssdy 10 demand thst II shall be
Onna TnlaVa a.. O., r,ov. .a.sss-