Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-07-03
DON'T DECEIVE THE PEOPLE
l.. NJ. DEY. Jr..
Official in Charge.

Much Of the argument advanced by
those who favor the nomination Of
United States senators In state party
conventions Is based on the plea that
the state legislatures are not an rep
resentative Of the people as the franz
ers Of the national constitution in
tended they should be-
Passing this point for moment let
US ask. are state conventions more to
be trusted than state legislatures? Do
they more clearly and more directly
represent the wishes Of the party and
the people?
Senator Hepburn makes telling
argument when he says:
1T must be obvious to those who
will give the matter their earnest con-
sideration that unless the primaries
are held under conditions which would
enable only republicans to vote. and
at which a full vote would be cast:
and until the county conventions are
held under legal provisions as to the
regularity Of their proceedings. the
state convention would represent
nothing more than political laxity in
the primaries or county conventions"
Here Is an opportunity for mercen-
airy politics at the primaries. to say
nothing of the trades and combina-
tons which naturally follow at the
cc:".. as.a state conventions.
II we are to doubt the wisdom Of the
trainers Of the constitution, who de-
clared In article l. section 3. that 1.-The
senate of the United States shall be
composed Of two senators from each
state. chosen by the legislature thereof
for six years." and believe that condi-
lions are changed 80 that It Ii for the
best to take the power of electing SEN
ators away from the legislature and to
lodge II with the people. let us be sure
that It IL really and truly In the hands
OF the people and not the politicians.
Oregon Is experimenting with the
direct primary law. Party nominations
for state officers and United States
senator were made at the primaries in
q manner similar to a regular cleo
ton. At the state election last month
the people expressed their choice for
United States senator as clearly as
they did for the office Of governor. The
Oregon legislature convenes next jan
nary. when we shall have an excellent
opportunity to witness the working OF
what IL practically change in the
constitution Of the United States with
respect to the election OF United
States senator's.
II we are to admit that our present
method Of deciding political question,
does not always attain the wish Of thu
majority We are compelled to admit
that at no time and place ia there N
much political manipulation and ef
fort to trade interests az at a stat,
convention. The state convention Il
the contamination Of the creates
work Of political organizers. and wheu
there are political bosses in a stat
they are in charge Of the state con
vention II they have anything Of powe
In their organization.
I: II universal rule that eacl
county goes to the convention with Il
own demands and prepared to loo
out fors its own local interests. TIL
man who Is manipulation enough I
satisfy the greatest number Of delega
tons and secure their votes by effect
ing combinations that satisfy their de
mands Is the man who IL in charg
Of the convention.
II there IL to be a change In tn
manner of electing our United State
senator let the change take the offic
nearer to the people and not farthe
away from them.