New York Dispatch

WHO SHALL BE SENATOR?

The question as to whom shall succeed Senator Lapham is being much discussed at present. That Mr. Lapham will not succeed himself is very generally conceded. He is a man of but ordinary ability, of respectable character undoubtedly, but without any qualities to recommend him as a Senatorial representative of the Empire State. He can be passed over in silence. He was taken up as a makeshift, he served the purpose for which he was created, and now he can be permitted to retire to the obscurity which is natural to one of his capacity.

Had we our wish William M. Evarts would be Mr. Lapham's successor. In this country to-day there is not a man of greater brains, of wider experience, or of more varied capabilities than Mr. Evarts. He is the true successor of William H. Seward, whom he resembles in many characteristics. He is calm, self-poised, ready and brainy. He is too big mentally to allow petty spites to control his actions, and too wise to place himself on the wrong side of any question involving a principle. We fear, however, that there is little hope of his election as Senator. He is not a politician, in the lower and commoner acceptation of the word, and, therefore, he is not popular with the gentlemen who run the machine.

President Arthur seems to be the favorite with the working Republicans. Against him or his candidacy no word can be justly uttered. For years he has been an active politician in this city, but no one has ever supposed that he did aught unworthy of an honorable gentleman. He has been President of the United States for upward of three years, and has borne himself with such dignity, with such regard for his own honor and that of the country, that he has won the respect of men of all parties. While we do not think him a statesman of the philosophic mind or the wonderful breadth of view of Mr. Evarts, we believe that he would be one of the most useful members of the Senate. He has great experience, and his advice would be listened to by his fellow members because they know that though no orator, he is a man of most excellent judgment. Should he be chosen Senator, New York will be more capably represented than it has been in many years.

Another prominent candidate is Mr. Chauncey M. Depew. We admire the man, but we do not like his surroundings. He is on too intimate terms with the great railroad corporations of this State. His ability no one will deny. His knowledge is far-reaching, and everything which he knows is at his command at the moment it is required. He is a very effective speaker—incisive, humorous and convincing. He is an opponent to be dreaded, and a friend who can be trusted.

We hope the Legislature will send no commonplace, milk-and-water sort of man to the Senate. We have had too many of the kind of recent years, and the people are sick of them. It is about time that brains went to the front.