Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-03-14


legation to give them good advice. Not
being masters of the English language,
they frequently give their assent to laws
bearing . meaning Of which the legisla-
tors never dreamed. Sometimes they
attempt to alter and amend a bill, and
thus they fill it with contradictions and
sosurdities. 1t is generally understood
that very few of the laws of this state
were drafted by members of the legisa-
ture, but that they were mostly the work
of lawyers and others out of the assem-
bly,. Hence the innumerablc inconsis-
tencies and absurditics that occur in al
most every page of our statute book
A legislature that is incompetent to make
law, is poorly qualified to mend one
Its labors are similar to those of an un-
skilful tinker, who, in attempting to stop
one old leak in kettle, produces half a
OoZtH new OneS'
Much mischief has been done by the
popular belief in doctrine avowed by
your correspondent {" Voter" viz that
" the best politicians are not always good
clerks" 1t is true that a man may be a
good politician, and yet, by having lost the
use ofhis hands or his eyes, he may not be a
good clerk. But if any man pretends to
be good politician, who cannot write
legible hand, who is unacquainted with
the grammar of his language, or who
cannot draft bill without the assistance
OF clerk-that man will do better to
contine his Politics to his farm or his
workshop, thar to attempt todisplay them
in the legislative hall.
At the last general election it was
very popular doctrine, that, as the con-
stitution had prohibited slavery, there was
no longer any reason for Withholding our
votes from its advocates. The preya-
lence Of this opinion produced the an
pointment of two senator's in congress
whose principles and official conduct, in
relation to this subject, are condemned
by more than three fourths of the people.
1t is hoped that this circumstance will
not be forgotten by the friends of liberty,
and that a more strict adherence to
principle will hereafter be observed.
There is one subject, which, above all
others, ought to induce us to send our
most capable citizeps to the general as.
sembly. 1t is well known that the coun-
ties of St. Clair and Madison are each
deprived of one senator and one rerre-.
sentative, to which their population en-.
titled them, according to the principle.
of superintendent established in the con-
stitution. Whether this sacrifice was
made by our conyentioners, out Of ture.
good nature, or whether their remon-
strances were disregarded and overruled,
| have never been able to learn-~the
journal of the convention being perfect
ly silent OF the subject. Be this as it'll
may, since a new apportionment must
be made by the next legislature, it is high
ly important that we should be repre-
scented in that legislature by men who
are able and willing to support our
constitutional rights.
Let all, therefore, who have the well
fare of their country at heart, unite their
exertions to secure the election of those
men who are most honest, most caha6le,
and most .faiMful to the constituticn.--
Let US disregard the attempts of design
ing men to excite prejudice either in ia
vor or against particular classes of citi-
zens. No matter whether man be a
farmer, a mechanic, physician, or law
yer, if he possesses the requisite qualih-
cations, let US not deprive ourselves of
his services.
AN ELECTOR.
St. Clair county, March S, 1920.
FOR THE SPECTATOR