Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1911-12-31

enough why a May primary should
not be held: II might fail OF the
purpose II processes by ellminatins
the very man or men most acceptable
under the test Of a full vote.
Plurality Instruction.
4 plurality nomination by e vote
OF the entire state will be contrary
20 the spirit OF the constitutions, pro-
T vision Of the election OF United States
senators. Under the constitution. the
legislature alone Is vested with the
right TO elect United States senators,
4 legislator should faithfully obey
the instructions OF the people ne rep
/ resents, brit In this matter he repre-
sents the people who elect him and
/ not the people OF the entire state. II
the people Of any legislative district
should desire 10 instruct for another
than the ayOwed candidates, they
have a right. under the constitution,
10 do so. or II the people OF such a
district neglect TO instruct for any
person, the legislator Is entitled 10
east his vote at his own discretion. |
am old-fashioned enough 10 Relieve
In preserving inviolete and without
evasion every right granted by the
constitution 10 a legislative district
or TO a legislator as well az 10 an
individual citizen. and oppose any
party rule or any agreement among
candidates which restrains the exer-
else OF such rights. am net now dis
cnssing the relative merits of uator.
ial elections by the legislature or By
the people, ! am only Contending for
an observance of the organic law so
long as 70 Is the law The Office OF
/ United States senator does not be-
long 10 the men who seek il. il be-
longs to the legislative constituencies
or 10 the legislators acting under
local instruction or upon their own
Judgment in the absence Of instruc.
ton. Our primary law conforms TO
the constitution by providing that
candidates for the senate may have
their names entered upon the ticket
by legislative districts. and any other
method by order of party authority
or by compact among candidates. ia
an evasion OF the constitution
II Legislators choose TO accept in.
struction by plurality Of the whole
state, and II they so agree with their
own constituents. that Is an affair
beween them and their constituents.
Bot ! submit that every legislative
constituency should enjoy the right.
II II SO chooses 10 nave its vote cast
for whom il pleases without mourning
the reproach OF plurality or even a
majority Of all the voters of the state.
] am net inviting other candidates
to enter the contest. nor am sug-
costing that legislative constituencies
or legislators present other candi-
dates ! am only reminding ierisla-
tive constituencies and legislators of
the rights they have under the CON
stitution and insisting that these
rights shall not be abridged by meth
DDS Of apparent evpediency or peg
sonal political convenience.
Primar, system naraers.
The primary system was designed
to correct the abuses Of political boss
ism and convention manipulation.
but II will lead to greater injury 70
the public service II IL is so employed
as to limit the opportunity Of the
people 10 counsel among themselves
and call out men who are reluctant
to seek office Already the primary
system has brought us to the polr;
where, other things being approxi-
mately equal the man who spends
the most money in promoting his
candidacy will receive the most votes.
II 1t Is TO operate also as n handicap
TO popular initiative. IL the office may
not seek the man, II choice Is 20 be
confined to the self-seeking and il the
self-seeking are encouraged 10 guess
az public opinion without contribut-
ing TO public enlightenment. we will
come speedily TO the hindrasce OF
the high thinking and the destruction
of the courageous leadershlps that
have developed. preserved and en-
nobled the republic.
For my part. am content u make
choice among the preset candidates
upon the issues which have beer rails
cd, but | am unwilling to deprive any
legislative constituency. that mas
not be content, Of the opportunity to
exercise its constitutional right. and
should not permit themselves TO be
led heedlessly into any commitment
that may tend 20 weaken their own
sense OF responsibility. We canno.
afford to suspend or ignore the con
s'itution or TO alter well tested poi
tical institutions merely to escape
some temporary embarrassment or
e meet some passing emergency. No
appeal 10 opportunism In the inter
est OF n faction or n favorite should
persuade us TO yield the smallest of
our rights as individuals or units Of
political and governmental action.