Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1905-01-22

as bis connection with the New York
Central is concerned, We do not be-
leye that the fact that he Is an active
railroad man should be an obstacle to
bis service in the Senate, any more
than the fact that a man is doctor, a
minister or a lawyer should be any dis
qualification for tina. office.
This incident, however, illustrates in
a striking way the increasing CONNER
cialism Of politics, and the growing
power OF corporations ia the admins
tration OF State governments. So far
as they have been made public, the
steps in this extraordinary Senatorial
selection are about as follows: Cow
ernor Odell, desiring to make complete
his power over the Republican organ
ization in this State, wished to secure
the election OF United States sem
ato who would be in affili9tion with
him and on whom he could rely to OBJ
tain at least a part Of the federal pat
ronage In this State. This United States
senatorship was necessary to Governor
Odell because Senator Plat, the de-
posed boss OF the Republican ma
chine, was unfriendly TO him and be-
cause Senator Depew was accustomed
TO follow the leadership Of Senator
Platt. Therefore, Odell made deal
with Ex-Governor Black, the terms OF
which we're that Black and his friends
should make Governor Odell secure
in the control Of the State Committee,
and in return Odell should make Black
United States senator in the place Of
Depew
OF course, the theory Of our govern
ment Is that the members Of the Legis-
lature elected by the people should sit
in joint session, and gravely and con.
scientiously proceed to the election Of
the best qualified person In the State
to represent the commonwealth IN the
Senate. But that ia not the way
things are done nowadays. The Gus.
tom now is for few politicians and
agents Of corporations 10 meet together
and select the senator, the members
OF the Legislature simply acting as au-
donations to register their will.
Everything seemed to 60 as Cover
nor Odell wished, and election OF Gov
ernor Black as United States Senator
to be absolutely assured.
when, presto there was a sudden
change. Governor Odell has seen a
new light. Himself practically master
Of the Republican organization in the
State Of New York. he had friend !
stranger than he 10 whose will he was
obedient. This friend Is one OF the |
seven or eight controlling railroad !
men In the United states--the head Of
q trans-continental system. Develop |
ments In railroad politics made it de.
sirable for Mr., Hartman to have
representation 10 the New York Cen
trail Railroad The easiest way 10 Sc
cure this was 60 strike a bargain by
which Senator Depew, long the repre-
sentative Of the Vanderbilt interests
ia the New York Central Railroad
should be returned to the Senate ia
exchange for a dictatorship for Mr.
Hartman When tho Black men OBJ
served signs OF wagering in Odell aud
they demanded immediate announce
ment by him OF his position in the
senatorial matter, he replied that he
must first zee a man" That man was
Mr. Hartman, IL evident that Mr..
Hartman pronounced for Sen, Depew,
and thus il has come TO pass
that Mr. Chauncey NJ. Depew
chairman Of the board Of direc-
Tors OF the New York Central Rail-
road is TO sic in che United States Sem
lte for six years, beginning with the
lth Of March next. by che grace OF E.
III. Hartman, president of the south !