Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-12-09
CHOOSING SENATORS.
Jew Primary Method Possesses Posi-
bilities Quite Unple 4sant.

bilities Quite Unpls 4sant.
The Oregon Legislators are growing
FESTIVE under the conditions in which
they now find themselves. Reports
proclaim their search for a way out.
The state gave a plurality of $4,000
to the republican candidate for the
presidency at the recent election.
-Four years ago it favored Roosevelt
by over 10000. The legislature chosen
short time ago is republican. If
the election results are to be trusted
the sentiment of the voters of the
state is favorable 70 the principles and
policies of that party. This thought
is at the foundation of a plan to re-
lease lifty-one members of the legis-
lature from pledge they took some
months ago The pledge was that
the legislators elected would support
that candidate for the United States
senatorship who should receive the
largest popular vote for the place at
a general election. When the vote
was taken George E. Chamberlain, a
democrat, won out. If the pledges are
now kept the country win witness the
exceptional sight of republican state
and g republican legislature returning
TO the United States senate a leader
of the democratic hosts.
This is not the only peculiar situa
ton which has developed in connec
ton with the increasingly popular
idea of having the members of the
upper house of the national congress
chosen by direct vote.
Some of these situations are de-
scribed in a timely article in the
North American Review. The writer
takes strong ground against the con-
tenUons of the popular advocates.
He shows the original idea of the
founders of the government in pro
viding the system of checks and bal
anees under which the history of the
country has been made He cites the
comments of students of political sci
ence who have found in the senate
one Of the strong features of our gov
eminent. These connect the method
of election with the resultant power
of the body He raises a serious ques
ion for consideration whether the bet
ter judgment of the American people
the assaults made upon the senate in
late years. The primary election for
United States senator has brought
about some strange situations. It's
results are not all that were hoped for.
The Oregon condition is distinctly
anomalous. The supreme court of
North Dakota has decided that the
requirement of the senatorial primary
law that candidate for the legisla.
ture shall pledge himself to vote for
the successful candidate of his party
at the polls is unconstitutional and
void At the same time it holds that
the right of the people to express a
preference regarding the senatorship
is not a violation of the constitutions
of state or nation.
The Oregon situation taken with the
North Dakota case will make the Re
view article mentioned interesting
reading for all The Alabama co di
tons therein described still fu,Jher
suggest the need of careful thought
before the movement for popular cleo.
ton receives added momentum.
1t is worth noting, as Mr.. Taft iRGi,
Gated in his letter of acceptance, that
In a number of states, both democrat.
lie and republican, this method of
choice has been practically adopted
already Nevertheless there will be
many readers who viii find good rea'
sons for fayoring the deliberation
urged in the article cited before they
commit themselves finally to a con,
stitutional change on the method of
senatorial election