The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-12
WEDNESDAY, JULY 70, 1905.
Governors and Senator's.

u One of the notable changes in the ideas
Of government that has come over the
spirit Of the dreams OF our people In the
last third of century was referred to
and commented upon ut some length ny
Congressman II. S. Boutell, OF Illinois, IN
a very interesting address lie delivered
during the recent commencement oxcr-
cises at the University OF North Carolina.
In the olden time the governorshp was
considered tie highest goal of the politi-
clan, and Mr. Boutell said that an cleo
ton to the United States Senate WAS re-
garded as the stepping stone to the gov
ernorship. never the converse, as now,
"A A number Of interesting examples are re-
called: Harrison Gray Otis and John
4. Davis, Of Massachusetts,; Robert Y.
Hayne, of South Carolina; William L.
Marcy and Martin Van Buren,, Of New
York; Alexander Nlouton, Of louisiana
tHnd number of other well known men
sleft the Senate for the governorship. In
1851 Jefferson Davis and Henry Stuart
,Foote both resigned from the Senate to
canvass their State as rival candidates
Tor the governorshlp. In 1914. ~ 2. Tall
madge, of New York, gave UP his seat in
the United States Senate from the EN-
pire State to accept from President Tyler
the governorshp of the Territory Of Wis
}consin.
IF you wish" says Mr.. Boutell, ITO
realize fully the extent of this change.
picture to yourself If you can. the spec
tacle of senator from New York Of tho
present day resgning his seat in the most
powerful legislative chamber in the world
to become Governor of Oklahoma or
Alaska" !.
For our own. part we can recall no
z instance within the last forty years. of
senator of the United States rcsgning
his seat to become Governor. General
John D. Gordon did resign from the
Senate to engage In what he fondy hoped
would be profitable private business, and
later. when the alluring private business
had proved to be n seductive mirage, the
people Of Georgia called him TO the Gov
ernors chair: but he did not leave the
ptudtc LOT tllul puTpOSc
3 On the other hand there are numbers of
Instances In which Governors have gone
from the executive chair directly or in
directly TO the Senate chamber. Zcbuon
3. Vance resigned the governorship OF
= North Carolina after having been elected
senator by the Legislature, and during
the present year Governor Frazier, OF
Tennessee, and Governor La Toilette. OF
+ Wisconsin, have laid off the Governors
robes to wear the senatorial togo. There
ure others who would like 10 do so.
There is reason. OF course. for this
change, but II is doubtful II the reason
or the change itself Is for the better,
The practical retirement Of the doctrine of
States rights has lessened the influence OF
the once highly honored position of Coy.
ernor of State, while the increase
OF Federal power and tho Capitalization
of that power al Washington has en-.
larged the Importance OF tho office oil
United States senator. Under the changed
order Of things senator can do ,nort
IN the way of shaping The destiny o.
h&6 Inc nallOIl ana OF lNe StatcS IMAM q hal
dozen governors can do. The governor o
State has very little authority, and II
he is not an unusually bright man, and Il
he does not exploit himself, but remain
in the office ANA confines himself i
executive routine the outside world vii
@ not know of his existence How man
governors Of this day can YOU name?
II il sad reflection 10 those of Il
VINO love the traditions, who cling I
@ the old time doctrine Of STATE soyerelgntS
But We may as well look the situate
sauareiy in the face. The power an
prestige Of tie nation are Increasing ever
day; the power and prestige of the Inc.
yidual sovereign State are on the wan
,e Hence men of political aspirations Hrefs
q high position In the Federal government
SSS They prefer to be y factor in the Masiol
s!c transit.