Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-08-04

VIZ SSAciai aooclHUly anu OpeTdCo IL |
through their chosen clique
The subservient members know this
but they also know that any attempts !
on their part to assert their independ- |
ence and attempt to take away con-
troll from the dominant clique would |
bring upon them the effective displeas-
ure OF their local bosses, So they per-
nit the few to run" the house; to |
work is hours day while they loaf
around, willing to work, But having no
opportunity offered. This enforced |
leisure, as | have pointed out carries
its curse with it.
|
Perhaps the most welcome sound l
ever heard was the crash of my gavel
which adjourned sine die the last gen
eral assembly of which was a mem
Der. had served in the house half
a dozen terms, and had been speaker
two of them. AS left the statehouse
that last day fellow member said to
me:
WIFI you come back next term?"
NO" | replied. II want a little
time before | die to find my old belief
that most men are decent"
When first came to the legislature
| had large confidence in mankind. +
entertained the opinion that the world
was always getting better | ended
my legislative career almost con-
firmed cynic That was a few years
ago. Since then things have hap
pened. There are indications every
where that point to changed condi-
tions and new moral forces in legisla-
lures. Boodling is not so popular as
1t was once, because the ordinary citi-
zen is learning how to pick out a
boodler and what to do with him when
he is discovered.
But the most encouraging indication
of practical legislative reform is the
growth of public opinion in regard to
the election Of United States senator's
by popular vote. When the duty of
electing national senator's is taken
from the legislature, there then will
he no rightful claims that members of
a general assembly must be elected by
party votes. Then state legislature
will be entirely a local body, having
no connection with the national gov
eminent. 1t will be to the state what
o common council or board of alder
men is to city, and its members can
be elected without regard to their po-
litical creeds.
, This separation of national politics
from state affairs will do much to for
ward the ron-partisan election of
members of legislature, and when
the day comes that Independents and
nonpartisan organizations send. ma
jority of Independents to the state cap
itol the great nonpartisan organiza-
y ton of graft and Doodle will hurriedly
dissolve.
= But SO long as the legislature elects
i, United States senator's, the members
of the general assembly should be
elected as republicans or democrats.
|
# Only few weeks ago United
States senator said to me:
1T will be many years before we are
d elected by popular vote. 1t will take
J. a long time to work UP public senti-
S ment to the point where the national
Ell congress will be compelled to take ac-
ton which will result in taking the
i election of senators from the general
n assemblies of the state. very much
= doubt if there ever will be any change
It from the present method of electing
/ senator's. You see, every year this
d movement for independent or non
d partisan action in the election of city
g and county officials is growing strong
If er. 1t will not be so very long before
l. this movement will threaten the pres
d ent method of nominating and elect
= ing members of state legislatures But
'e the same arguments in favor of non
is partisan candidates for mayor and al
n dermen will not have force when ap
piled to legislatures. Our general as
semblies elect United States senators
- and we must, for the safety of the ma
- ton. have opposing political parties
represented in the senate and house
r. So it is just as necessary that these
: parties be represented as parties il
egislatures-s elections mus
20 be partisan affairs, not nonpartisan
: Now, until you can get party pride anC
- partisan politics out of legislature,
-, you cannot change the present method
Of electing senators"
And yet some of the smartest poll
=, ticians in the country are advocatin.
:, popular election of senator's, ana
- smart politician is one who finds on
- which way the people are heading anC
- then cuts across lots to get in from
- Of the procession to lead it.
Hard WORKING NeWSpaDer Men