Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-30
The Legislature.

The House of Delegates has passed a bill post
poning the Spring elections to the 4th Thursday
in May. This will give the members some little
longer time to draw their four dollars per diem,
before they will be obliged to return home to e
lectioncer for another term, or for Congress, or
sort. The Buncombe resolution to adjourn on the
25th Of FEBRUARY last, was entirely ignored when
that day arrived, and their confiding constituent
cies have long since forgiven them tor that shall
low little trick Of coquetry-for although intended
to please all, it scarcely deceived any. The Sc
rious necessity, however, ofpreparing for the ap-
preaching elections, gives us tangible footing fer
the hope Of all adjournment by the FIRST of May.
The present Legislature by that time will have
been in session nearly eleven solid months-at a
cost for per diem of members and pay of clerks,
alone, not far from $500 ,000,-to say nothing OF
printing anu other enormous contingencies. -
The fruit OF their abors for the first session is be-
fore the public in a two-and sixpence volume.
filled out by including the New Constitution ;
for the present session, excepting an indiscrimi-
nate passage of all Internal improvement bills
what else has been passed may not be generally
known until printed in similar volume of "Acts,
&c." George H., we believe it was, once ask
ed the Speaker of the House of Commons-wh
the Parliament had lately passed? The reply
was ''thres ,vssks, your Majesty" Our Legisla-
tors may appreciate the anecdote.
But it does not become us ''sovereigns" to
grumbls at this state Of things. 1t is our own
fault. five knowingly send TO the vineyard in
competent laborers, it is not in our mouths to conf
plain that they are unworthy of their hire. fla
majority of the men sent to the Legislature make
more there than at home, we may expect them to
continue in that business as long as possible
If men Of inferior abilities arc sent by us, then we
must thank ourselves only for the inferior legsla-
ton. II we plant poor orchard, we may expect
inferior fruit; men do not usually gather grapes
of thorns, nor figs of thistles.
The comparatively low intellectual grade ofour
Legislature had become a notable evil under the
Old Constitution. Men Of ability who had bust
ness at home would not consent to be kept in
Richmond month after month of the unlimited
sessions,and as somebody must 60 these were sent
generally who had no business at home, nor any
where else. Hence the argument on which the
New Constitution adopted the system Of limited
sessions. This system gees into operation with
the aext Legislature, and as their private affairs
can always be arranged for any defniie absence,
it is hoped that men of talent and working men
will be selected all over tho State aud pressed
into the service, that we may hereafter have less
complaining Of our Legislatures. 1t is not worth
while to send only te,o such men, if all the 9th
ess are second rate-the present Legislature has
men Of high ability among its number, but they
are outvoted by the majority and are powerless for
good.
Let each county look to this matter for itself.
IL can lose nothing by electng men of ability, for
il other counties have done so it can cope with
them, on equal terms; if otherwise, then it can
WELD greater power for its own advantage in
the Legislature. In this connection VIC may re-
mark that Augusta has long exerted an influence
in the Legislature in spite of her adverse politics
SO has Albemarle and other counties which we
might name-doubtleSs because of their efficient
delegations. Our presentrePresentation also have
won reputation for industry and efficiency which
is creditabe to themselves, and beneficial to their
county.