St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-07-18
sENATOR ROSS'S LETTER.
same Press Comments ON the Latest
Political Affair.

w
poss's letter in the Brattleboro
pboenix and we give up considerable
ooce this week to comments on the
,ame. Most of the papers have
treated the matter at such length
tbat we have only given extracts
from their editorials, but have given
IN each case what seems to be their
summary of the case.
The Senator's position is the only one
nb;cb man of his dignity and ability
oonld take. He is now in the United
SV Senate through no seeking of his
AVN and is there rendering the state of
ym the best service in his power;
hs entered on this service at a critical
lime and under many difficulties; the
honor of an election to complete the
nnuuevnired term has always been accorded
to the governors appointee; the Sena-
tor will not seek such an election by any
O NJ effort, but if the legislature, ex-
srrcisipg its prerogative of choosing the
nan it deems best fitted for the place,
,n him this honor it will be gladly
accented and the Senator will not be a
candidate for reelection at the close of
Mr. Morrill's term Brattleboro Phe-
nix :. - =,
The senator's position is a digni6ed
and proper one, open to no criticism, and
calculated to increase the respect in
which he is held throughout Vermont.
Inublic opinion had not already become
IN such an extent concentrated on the
two leading candidates, Judge Ross
would, as we have heretofore remarked,
be a strong candidate before the legsla-
tnre, As it is, his chances will depend
on the contingency that neither ex-Gov.
dillingham; nor Gen. Grout secures
majority of the legislature. In the event
ot a deadlock, and if he should command
votes enough to enable him to hold the
balance of power between the two lead,
ipg candidates, Judge Ross would stand
an excellent chance to retain his office for
two years longer. We do not expect
this contingency to occur; but it is by no
means an impossible contingency.
udge Ross remarks that the state leg
;sators are assumed by the state consti-
tuition to be men most noted for wisdom
and virtue. This is not perfectly accu-
rate. The constitution requires that
the House of Representatives shall con-
sst Of persons most noted for wisdom
and virtue" There is no such require
ment for the senate. The legislators in
that body are simply required to be free
men of their respective counties and to
be thirty years old or upwards. If as
the Judge seems to imply, it is not quite
the thing for the voters to undertake to
instruct persons most noted for wisdom
and virtue, may it not still be proper to
instruct the prospective senator's, who
are not required by the constitution to
be above the average as respects wisdom
and virtue? Our own view of this mat
ter is that the voters are entitled to be
represented in the United States Senate
BY the men whom they prefer; and that
as the voters cannot act directly in the
election of senator's, they have perfect
rlght--one so far as we know never
before questioned--to instruct their rep
rsSentatives in the legislature in regard
to their preferences and wishes. Judge
Ross remark, later in his letter, that the
people ought to know whether they wish
10 continue his services in the senate
seems to recognize the fact that, after
all the people have the right to decide
the question of the senat orship. They
have also, we think, the right to decide
how they will make their wishes known
to the men who are to represent them in
the legislature.
Judge Ross has made an excellent rec
ord in the senate. Not one new senator
ina hundred has the opportunity which
presented itself to him, to make himself
itIt and respected in that body almost
rom the beginning of his service as a
Snator, or improvesit more successfully.
An active canvass in his own behalf, ii
be were disposed to make one, would not
Under the circumstances, strengthen his
position as a candidate for the success
son to himself. Aud whatever may be
the result OF the election in the leglsla-
ture next October, he is sure OF the
esteem and gratitude of the people OF his
State Burlington Free Press.
1t was a well earned distinction, glad
and graciously conferred by his State.
The necessity for finding and appointing
a successor to Mr.. Morrill, was not
sudden emergency. 1t had been pending
loF some years and was a matter that
had long pervaded State politics, though
aelerence to the living had kept it out OF
public discussion. Two distinct candida
oes had developed, those of Dillingham;
4 and Grout, and when Mr.. Morrill, died
nese had attained such an advanced de-
gree OF maturity that the popular pre-
Ffence really hung between these two
4 Meh' Strenuous efforts were made to Sc
4 cure the appointment OF the one or the
4 V'ner' Governor Smith decided not to
oFeStall the action of the people by the
i appointment of either. In this matter
4 le preferred not to constitute himself an
electoral college. He did not-and it
d Was not becoming or necessary that he
Snould-publicly and in express terms
nay I will appoint third person, and
'ne people themselves shall decide be-
tween Dillingham; and Grout," but that
was the we'll understood intent of the
u JAEcutlye action; and it was with equal
IVHnlteness understood that the decision
Il t ns reserved for the people would come in
.Ie pending canvass and the elections
taa' wall follow in September and Octo-
WI, ~a Judge Ross was appointed as a
, m"Neshltt. This is the simple fact of the
matter but no one is questioning the
@,suom and propriety of the Governors
Nurse In the dilemma in which he was
paced in January, 1899.
~. onuer ordinary circumstances prece-
& usul might be cited and observed in the
p.t e OF Mr.. Morrill's unexpired term.
+ Ja' Ine circumstances, in Vermont or in