Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-26

IOuiueu oSSSiOuSs a NJ last ohc vas BchuIulll
condemned by both parties; especially by tht
Republicans. Is there any public necessity
that requires it2 If there is, the measures
which constitute the necessity and whicl
can not be passed at the present session, can
and should be pointed out. But there has
been no pretense of any specific Legislation
that required another session, and as mem.
bers would naturally attempt to protec
themselves in such radical change in theii
views on this question, by offering substan.
tial reasons, il there were any, we are justified
in concluding that none could be specified.
But the adjourned session has been chiefly
excused on the ground that the people are in
favor of annual sessions. Then the people
have singular way of showing it. Twice
the question has been submitted to their vote,
and they were too Indifferent vote on either
side. But even if they were in favor of an
nual sessions, does that establish that they
are in favor of having this Legislature an
nually? It is argued in the Legislature that
If the Constitution had not provided that
those who did not vote on its amendments,
should be counted against them, the question
of annual sessions would have carried at the
popular election; but as it was lost from the
Indifference of the people on the question,
they conclude that the people are in favor of
annual sessions. This Legislative logic is nc
tually current at the State capital.
Others have argued that the question of
annual sessions would have carried, if they
had been connected with annual elections;
but as the people were unwilling to have one
Legislature fastened upon them for two ses-
slons, they foist this Legislature upon them
for another session. This is another specimen
of the annual session argument. 1t has also
been offered to show necessity, that during
the only period when the State had not nn
annual session, the deftcation of Breslin oc-
ourred. Ifit did a regular and an extra ses-
sion failed to discover it, though they inves-
tigated it to the best of their ability. 1t is
said, too, that the Treasury is empty, therefore
another session is required to take care of the
finances Of the State. The State Treasury is
prostrated by the depletion of the last extra
session; but for that it would have met the
necessary expenditures therefore, it is to be
treated, homeopathically, to the hair of the
same dog.
What can an extra session Of the Legisla-
ture do TO relieve the finances Of the State
The result of the extra session Of the Dem
ocratic Legislature will show. What session
appropriated about $50, 900 to the Lewistown
Reservoir, in which was included about $24,-
900 which the treasury investigation had re-
ported as having been taken out of the
Treasury and for that report which they
themselves ordered and dishonored, they ap-
propriated over $4,000. They paid about
$4,000 on an old claim of Samuel Medarys
which the Democratic Auditor at the time
rejected as illegal. The expenses of the extra
session itself, including the other printing,
were probably 100000. This and such OF
their appropriations as were entirely un-
necessary and unjustifable will account for
the deficiency in the Treasury. And now
the Republican Legislature is going to re-
store the State finances by similar deple-
tion. BLEEDING and warm water is the
only treatment. After having provided the
Treasury but drain it. All it wants is re-
pose and nursing.
The question of an extra session has had a
damaging effect on the usefulness of this
session. The majority of the members were
anxious for it from the first, and this resulted
in willingness to create a necessity for il /;
or at least the consequence of an extra ses-
sion furnished an abiding consolation for the
ineficiency of this. The question mixed
itself up with other matters Of legislation,
and members found it difficult to carry their
party measures without modifying their
opposition to another session. The question
is potent for mischief and so it always will
be, so long as it is an open question for every
new Legislature. ........
But is there necessity for an extra ses-
sion? Certainly there is, to repeal the legis-
lation of this. But five Judge of the neces-
sity by what has been accomplished in the
past, there is none. Members naturally come
together under the delusion that the State is
to be saved and made by legislation. Every
Legislature is going to give the world turn
ahead, and every member is pregnant with
bills which are to reform the State, and,
especially, distinguish himself. The idea is
false at bottom consequently, every legisla-
ture is failure; in public estimation, because
it promised great things and performed lit
tie; in its own, because it has disappointed
ITSELF The State is suffering from too
much legislation; this everybody admits
yet new legislature comes together
and introduces five or six hundred
bills; and as, fortunately, it can pass but the
lesser fraction of them, it holds an extra ses
sion and introduces FIVE or six hundred more
and passes in proportion. Probably, on al
average, three-quarters of these should be a
once repealed.
But little legislation is required, and will
the crude ideas of government that prevail
in the legislature, but little is safe. There j
apparently but little idea that there is an!
fundamental principle in government, b!
which measures can be tried; but most of th
measures are expedients, to ft some particu
lar case, and the number, and variety of mo
tive of these Is inconceivable, to one who ha
not paid close attention TO legislation. Th,
act TO place the municipal government of thi
city where it cannot be easily reached by tn
people is a, specimen. Men will talk of tn
people being supreme in this government
md than create an apnointinp mower as "a