The morning journal-courier., 1908-05-05

conduct one Of the reasons why the |
serate OF the United States has fallen
into a mild dlsrepute and why the de-
mand for the popular election Of SEN
political activity of many senators,
who have sought all Of the powers
of a party boss. This action was re-
scented and Is still resented because
senator's hold their office by act of the
legislature and not by act of the peo-
pie voting independently at the polls,
Oh that account they should be more
than ordinarily circumspect In their
relations with the people whom they
represent. They should in particular
avoid seeking political honors, which
as In this case places them n direct
opposition to what Is clearly the will
of the republican masses throughout
Connecticut. one has but to count up
the republicans Of the state, who are
favorable to the nomination of Sec
rotary Taft, to realize how odd Is the
conduct of the two senator's in this
connection, What attitude therefore
they assume tonight when the con
vcntion meets, will be interesting from
the possibility OF their conduct, MAX
ing political history later on. The
friends of Mr.. Taft are obviously in
no mood to be opposed upon he per-
sonal grounds which appear TO innu-
ence the senator's
Another question which will come
up for consideration before the con-
venton is that which relates to the
advisability of lnstructing the dele
cation in Mr. rafts behalf. The
question of instructing delegates Is
more or less of an academic question.
/ Where II Is the result of faction
/ intimdating the convention instruc-
/ tons becomes necessarily offensive to
self-respecting people. Instructions
are equally offensive when the state
4 is evenly divided between presidential
candidates, which was the case In
4 1895. Then the sentiment was about
equally divided between Mckinley of
/ Ohio and Reed Of Maine lnstruc-
/ tions were clearly in order four and
/ eight years later, when the republi-
car sentiment of the state was over
whelmng for Mckinley and then
Roosevelt They are clearly IN order
this year II, as appears TO be the case,
the people Of the state who IRE anil
lated with the republican parry wish
TO not only go on record as for him.
but In addition do all the missionary
work they are capable of In his behalf
The attitude of the people of Connec-
ticut towards Secretary Taft Is more
than political. There is PERSONAL
side to their liking for him. because
hc Ia n graduate Of their largest insti-
tuition of learning and an active spirit
In its management
Another reason Why q state should
enter n national convention as unit,
II the feeling at home Is practically
unanimous proceeds from state pride.
SAYS the Courant: I'm the last thirty
two years, from 1876 to the present
time, except In the two unanimous
years of 1900 and 1904, the Connecti-
cut delegation at the republican CON
vention has almost Invariably gone to
pieces and so scattered its votes that
although the state stands high up in
the alphabetical roll and may eXer-
else large influence. II has failed to
cut any influence at all" After re-
viewing the history Of the past thirty
two years more In detail, It adds:
Isn't this a cheerful picture OF dis
persal Of energy? And isn't Il about
time for the state to vote unitedly
when Its people are of one mind r.
These are, to say the least, interesting
queries which might without harming
anybody he answered in the affrma-
tive