Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1856-12-18
The Legislature.


In a few days more, the Legislature O
the Territory will its session
being the third since the Nebraska Act
gave us an embryo political existence
Some Of the members have served in on
former Legislative Assembly, but most o
them are new, and all fresh from tn,
people, having been elected by their sew
eral constituencies in November. From
those of them whom we know, we augul
the hes, results. We either misunder.
stand their character, or they will be true
TO their constitucnts-truc to the people
true to The Territory-truc to themselves.
There is much for them TO do. Our
laws are in a crude, disjointed state; and
rs the duration Of the session is limited
by the Organic Act to forty days, it will
require all their wisdom, all their pru-
dence, and their most Jealous and UNI
firing efforts to arrange a wholesome sys-
TEN of laws, consistent with, and adequate
to, the public wants, in so short n time.
Some clipping of our present statutes is
needed, TO abolish existing incongruities.
Some new cnactments must be made to
supply omissions, and to give effect to
past enactments. Past Legislation has
been much devoted to local matters.
What we now need is u united, energetic,
straightforward effort at perfecting our
general laws. We think that but very
few more bridge charters, ferry charters,
bank charters and city charters are re-
CURED at the present time; and we do
hope that if any more special privileges
are to be granted, they will not all be
monopolized by members of the Legisla-
ture. We have an old-fashioned notion
that, somehow or other, it don't look well
to see the names of Legislators figuring
in special acts, passed by their own votes.
No doubt, Councilmen and Representa-
tives are smart, active and energetic men,
and make good ferrymen, good bridge
builders, good bankers, Sc, but then
other folks ought to have a chance, now
and then. We believe, however, that
the members of the Legislature soon to
assemble, will regard the public interest
ms of paramount importance, and will
honestly represent the public will. As
we above suggested, the time to which
they are restricted for the performance of
their public duties, is short-too short, in
our opinion. The members of the Leg
islature come together from all parts of
the Territory, and in many instances are
total strangers to each other, and totally
un~acquainted with the business of Legis-
lation. They have first to learn each
other, and then to learn to act together.
The first ten days are usually spent in
becoming acquainted with their duties,
having but thirty days in which to fulfill
them. Business comes. Local questions
arise in different quarters, and are press
ed upon the Committees and the House.
Petitions are presented, and remon.
strances introduced. The matters must
be examined, digested and reported upon.
The thing must be done hurriedly, as the
time is short. But towards the close of
the brief session, the bills-lots of them
get before the House-some of them art
fully drawn by interested parties, and
some hurriedly drawn by the Committees
in the discharge of their duties. These
mus be acted upon and rejected or pass
ed In the hurry and excitement of the
close of the session, the attention is dis.
trseted Latent frauds and antiquities
pass our notice. Incongruitics are unob.
served. Now is the time if YOU have a
bill containing a doubtful provision to ge,
1t passed. Call it up and it will pass
nine chances to one. And this may be
charged IN many instances to a short,
economical session. Forty days is too
short a time for the Legislature of Ne
braska to do all its duties carefully and
well; and if not well done, it were better.
perhaps they were not done at all.
We would RESPECTFULLY urge the mem.
bers OF our Legislature not to leave mat.
tiers to the latter end of the session. no
farther than is absolutely necessary, and
especially as it regards matters of general
interest.
AnighthOOd Declined.