The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-01-27
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.

We have not seen single argument against
biennial sessions of The Legislature which has sat
isiied our minds of the impolicy Of the measure
On The contrary, the reasoning against the bill
appears TO us to be extraordinary and inconclu-
sive. One gentleman deems annual sessions ne
cessary to prevent the public mind from stag
nating-agitation being essential to ksep the
human mind in a healthy condition. mature
abhors vacuum" says the gentleman, and hence
annual sessions should be held. During Il calm
on the coast of India, the was observed TO be
alive with animalculi--and therefore, annual ses-
sions are necessary, for, says the speaker, "will
the human mind in that state Of rest and quiesc
ence which it is proposed 10 give it by this bill,
not be productive of some such consequences as
these" The minds Of the people must be stir
red up every year, as with ten-toot pole, to
keep their brains from breeding maggots. We
know not what effects these arguments had on
membc is, but confess that they would have haG
little weight with us. We believe that the peo-
pie would prefer to save some thirty thousand
dollars per annun, even if they had TO dispense
with the stirring speeches Of members for sea-
son.
Nor is another position assumed against the
bill less unsound viz: that it was heretofore re-
lectcd by the votes of the people. As far aS we
asccrtaned public sentiment, there would have
been large majority i'll favor OF the bill, had it
been Invested Of those portions relating to tho
tgovernor and sheriHs We remember we'll hav-
ing heard regret frequently expressed at the con-
nexion of these subjects with the biennial bill,
and at the necessity which this conncxon impos-
ed of voting against the whole bill BIT, fgen-
ticnlen re so confident that the people are OPP
posed to the measure, why not let the simple
proposition for biennial sessions 90 to them for
dccisoni it will cost nothing 10 have the qucs-
ton thus tested.
Great stress is laid by some gentlemen on the
danger OF changing the 'organc law."-Would
they have the laws of our state TO be as unchangc-
able as those of the Medes and Pcrsans; Con-
stitutions and laws must be made applicable 10
the present condition and wants Of society-and
whilst we would prIdently refrain from change
where no good object was to be attained, we
would never regard human institutions as per-
manently binding, oi too sacred to be amended,
merely because they were the works of good and
wise men who preceded u.s. Improvement is the
order the day in governments, laws, mind and
morals; and lie who does not keep pace with the
progress of tho age, exhibits little disccrnnen of
his duty, and less care for the happiness of soco-
ty.-IIad this principle of adhering TO existing
institutions obtained in France, the French peo-
pie would HAYS continued TO be slaves. But we
will net initiate gentlemen and wander from the
fnbjcct. Maryland is largely in debt, and must
provide ways and means to meet her obligations
honorably. To do this it is found necessary TO
retrench expenditures, and the substitution of
biennial for annual sessions of the legislature,
offers one mode of saving thirty thousand dol
lars per annum, Shall it be adopted Ask the
people. Pass the bill reported by Mr. Phelps,
and let the people decide the question for them
solres.-BaH. Clipper.