The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-12

Republic, and that this combination OF
the states with the people in tho struc-
ture of government could not be secured
by the election of senator's by the peo-
pie.
After great deliberation 1t was de-
termined to make the government a COM
bination OF the federal and national sys-
TENS. To now abandon the plan then adj
opted and to accept the scheme then re-
jeeted will. it seems to me. result In the
destruction OF the federal features OF the
system, and II seems to me IL Is a step
in the direction Of reducing the states
from sovereiFnt!es to mere counties Is II
wise to do ths?"
Mr., Hardin closed by paying a tribute
to the high character the United States
had always sustained, quoting extensive
ly from an exhaustive article written by
j. J. McGilvra, OF the Seattle bar, spoke
at some length indorsing Mr.. Hardin's
views.
G.. Il. de Steiguer. OF the Seattle bar.
also indorseu the paper. He said the
people should not make the mistake of
treating as organic disease that was
merely functional. The evils complained
of on the election OF senator's were con-
fined almost wholly to the Western states.
where society was not yet thoroughly Or
ganized.
Judge stiles. of the Tacoma bar. said
that the evils were the result, not of faults
In the system of electing senators, but of
lack of wisdom in the people in electlng
corrupt men to the Legislature and the
failure OF the legislatures to choose sena-
tors promptly. The failure to elect alone.
he said, caused more trouble than all
other things. Legislators should be forced
to choose by dropping the lowest candi-
date at every ballot. bibery law was
also needed.
Samuel II. Stern. Of the Spokane bar.
did not indorse Mr.. Hardins paper If
tho people were worthy to trust to elect
legislators they could be trusted to elect
the senators direct. There was no need
OF whipping the devil about the stump.
Alfred Battle. OF the Seattle bar, also
dissented. He thought the greatest abuse
was the election OF lawmakers. not for
their ability as lawmakers but for their
views on the senatorial question. The
election OF a senator took up the entire
time OF the legislature But on mature
consideration he was not sure but that
that was not one OF the best arguments
~ favor OF the election OF senators in
the present manner. 1t prevented great
deal of bad lawmaking.
l. FRANK Brown. Of the Tacoma bar
said tha; purity in politics was an iri-
descent dream. principally because the
good men In politics are towards HI
urged members OF the bar to 10 out and
Eight for reform. He agreed with Mr.
tors
WIN II, Thompson. OF the Seattle bar
conservative ia the matter OF changing
laws. that he liked old people old I9ws
old wine and old principles There wa a
nothing moro harmful to a state than
continual hsrpins on The necessity for
change In the laws. No great calamity
would ever be avoided by Changing them
The evils arising from the choice Of Son
ators by the legislatures were sporadic
and confined 20 the West for the mos,
part, whore the gambling spirit was de-
noralizing- The remedy was the election
q, representative business men 70 the leg.
tslsture.