St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-07-18
Hon. Jonathan Ross,
United States Senator.
Senator Ross Statement.

ST. JoHNsBURY, July 10, 1900.
MIR. Edltor:-ln your recent letter you
request statement OF my position in the
canvass which is now being made for the
United States senatorship. You say that
there appears to be disposition to over
look the fact that | am in any sense a
candidate. 1t is very kind of you to
make this request, especially when you
assert that the Phoenix unreservedly
supports ex-Gov. Dillingham;, and that
you make the request because it is the
policy of the paper to state fairly the
claims of the other candidates, giving the
people chance to form their own judg-
ment, commend the declared policy of
the paper and cheerfully comply with the
request.
am a candidate for the remainder of
Mr.. Morrills term. | am not and shall
not be a candidate for the longer term.
make no claim to the senatorship. In
my judgment no person has any claim to
it. The office was created by the people
to serve the highest interests of the state
and nation. 1t should be bestowed at
their pleasure upon the one who in their
judgment will best serve these interests.
The legislature makes the election.
For this purpose the legislators are the
servants and representatives of the
people. By the state constitution they
are assumed to be be men most noted
for wisdom and virtue" Therefore, it
is to be presumed that they will select
wisely. Whether binding these represen-
tatives by instructions given long before
the election to vote for particular can
didate, COMFORTS with the spirit of the
constitution, may be questioned. Do
they not imply that the representatives
cannot be trusted to act when the time
for action arrives, as, in their judgment,
the highest interests of the state and
nation may require? May not such in
structions defeat the election of the per-
son clearly shown at that time to be
most capable and suitable?
The election to be held in Octoberis for
the balance of Mr.. Morrill's term and no
longer. That term expires March 8,
1908. On the legislature to be chosen in
1902 will devolve the duty Of electing
the Senator for the full term commencing
March +, 1908. The legislature to be
chosen in September will fully discharge
its duty if it shall elect to serve, during
the remainder of the unexpired term,
that person-whether now candidate
or not-who from character, ability, ex-
perience and knowledge of existing con-
ditions will, in their judgment, best
serve the interests Of the state and ma
ton. 1t is my desire that this legisla-
ture elect the man who will best serve
these interests. This is my position in
regard to the pending canvass.
Holding these views have not solicit
ted newspapers nor men to advocate my
candidacy. Such action is distasteful
and opposed to my entire course of life.
Before being appointed Senator l had
been in the service of the public the bet
ter part of my life, and had never solicit
ted newspapers nor men to support me.
During these years my services were
rendered before the people in all the coun-
ties OF the state. They ought to know
the character of the services which
have rendered, and am capab OF render
ing. They know also the character and
influence of my services in the Senate.
The legislature has in all cases save
one-and in that instance they failed to
elect-eIected the appointee of the COVER
nor to fill out, at least, the unexpired
term, and thus ratified the act OF the
governor. This would afford no sufi-
Gent reason for electng an unfit or un-
suitable person, but is fact for consid-
Grafton by the Legislature.
Ny appointment to the Senate came
unsought and unsuggested by me. The
governor inquired whether | would ac-
cept if offered the appointment. After a
little reflection | answered, The people
of Vermont have been so indulgent and
kind to me, that if you think l can serve
them better in the Senate than on the
bench | shall not feel at liberty to de-
cline" The appointment Immediately
| followed and in less than two days |
was on my way to Washington to enter
upon the new service. thus suddenly
left a service in which | had been en-
gagged for over % years, deeming it my
| duty to serve my native state wherever
she required. The people of the state
must now know, or at least ought to
know, whether they desire my services
continued. Hence have studiously re-
Trained from making an active canvass.
This has doubtless led, as you assert, to
disposition to overlook the fact that
am in any sense a candidate"
This is a government "of the people,
by the people, and for the people" Be-
ing such, it follows that it is the duty Of
the people to keep informed of their
needs, and voluntarily to select such per-
sons to manage the affairs Of the State
and nation, as will best and most effec-
lively accomplish these purposes. The
people of Vermont have, thus far, wisely
conducted these matters. They have
succeeded in selecting such officers as
have given the state an exceptionally
high standing. shall trust them to
deal with my candidacy.
While the people are quite well in
formed in regard to my services as Sena.
tor, they may not know the difficulties
under which they were rendered. Ny
appointment was made near the close oil
the 55th Congress when it's business was
in forward state of preparation. The