Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-08-30
legislators their qualifications.

GEN. GEO. HOt Si;, of Gallia.
legislators their qualifications
As the time for election approaches
the question i, often aekcd US, who or
to be the can ldates to be supported 70
the Legislature. With II, it is not I
question Of so much consequence 'rh'
the candidates are, as what their quaii
Gcations may be. Among certain elias
scs Of small politicians the only test o
qualification is urailabiWy,, or in oihc
words, who Will 10 the greatest extcn
commau. the votes Of mon holding al
verse opinions. Such a character car
ONLY be found in that class Of ncgativ,
men. who, If they have any opinion o
their own, never express il, but who arc
roalr to give private conf.!cntia assu.
rance Of their sympathy in every move.
mcnt that is going on.
In the earlier history Of our govern
ment, honesty and cnpobili,y ~orc tho'.
to be among the necessary publications
ola Legislator; il is not so now, availa.
bility has taken the place Of capabiliiy,
and of all the other qualifications which
our ancestors thought, necessary TO Fl,
q man for the work of the Legislature.
To lesisate, that is to make, alter,
and repeal laws forms the highest civil
business known TO the institutions Of
men. The capacities Of Legislator
should be as ample as the Interests Of
the State are diversified.
Nothing, says Burke, "is trpe and
adequate representation Of a state that
does not reprcsen, its ability, that is It's
knowledge as wei its prosperity Il is not
enough that member Of n Legislative
body should come 10 his task with an
upright intention, and a sound Judgment,
indispensable as these two qualifications
are, but he should have knowledge Of
all the subjects on which he is called to
legislate, he must also have skill as 10
the best mode of applying it. The state
Of Ohio embraces ID large territory in u
rapidly advancing stage ofcivilization,
with all the diversified interests Of an
entire nation. The Education Of the
people, civil and poli,ica! Jurisprudence
policy in respect 10 the tenMrc cIiands
and the quantity that any individual
shall acquire; laws FOR municipal gov.
ernmcnt Of towns and cities, the rcgu
luton Of our great mcsl,.work Of Rail,
roads, Of taxes, supervision Of the canals
Of the school lands and Ct out public
deb:, are some Of the subjects Of Iogis.
lalive care and responsibility.
Now, will any contend that a man
entirely unacquainted with these and
many other matters OF Legislation, is Il
fit person TO 60 into the Legislatures
The farmer, the mechanic, the eng,
neer, the physician, AMI the merchant,
must be prepared by the discipline of
, knowledge and experience before e,hor
can perform his task in life with credit
10 himself, OF utility to community.
|, does no, follow, as matter OF
course, that because ii man can fit
garment TO the human form, that he can
shoe horse, or because he can shoe q
horse we'll, rhat he can therefore make
a watch, neither is common sense"
alono sufficient to give a man an in.
sishtofa profession requiring knowled
skill and experience. Few indeed un.
deftaks 70 cafry ou. any individual! Ell.
tefpfise without knowing where to bs.
gin, an'l where to end. 1t is no, so
with the business Of making laws.
ANY man that is an active partisan,
though his rcad!ag does not extend be.
yoad the papers Of his party. is more
likely to be pu; forward as a candidate
for the Legislature, than the man who
Is qualified by the discipline Of knowl.
edge and experience.
The Judge whose business is merely
10 interpret and administer the law os il
is, must be acquainted with it, other
wise, he would be Incompetent, but it
is not.so With the man who is to make
the law, he must be wholly ignorant of
The Constitutions he 'akes tho oath to
support, and of laws which nre rules
protecting the rights Of pctsons, and
properly. People IRE wont TO com |
plain Of Tie cornple.it; Of the statutes.
Of the folly of.some Of them, and Of the
long, sessions Of the Legislature, anl
abuse the members, who are easily fat. ,
tered. and apt TO mink they are fit for
high civil station, If the people only tei!l
Ihen so. and give them their votes.