The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-04-29
Tho oA11eshan1an.
THURSDAY, APRIL %, 1863.
Special Legislation.

ton. Taking our own State Legislature
"a an example, We find each year enough
laws enacted to make a volume of from
five hundred to tVselve hundred pages.
Those affecting the entire State, usually
dsnom;nated general laws. donot each year
embrace more shan from thirty to fifty
pages OF such Il vast amount Of special
legislation. at least t&rsc things may be
pr,dicated:
Il is enormously e<Ycnaipe 10 the peo-
PIE.
Itia many cases makes confusion as to
what The law is
1t opens wide door to bribery and all
snrts Of political and legislation corrup-
Iinn.
We OF Pcnnsylyania do not alone suffer
hy it. Governor Hoffman, of New York,
has taken up the cudgel against it, and in
the name of the people is carrying on
bitter and protracted contest with both
branches cf the Legislature. 1t is also
stated that President Grant intends to
make the matter the subject of message
to Congress- for the evil is found in the
Naticral as we'll as the State halls of leg
iSlation. At the adjournment of both Sem
ate and Assembly last spring and this
spring, scenes were enacted that ought to
make even shame blush. Members open
ly gave and received presents to such an
extent that the transaction has well been
styled 'grand gift enterprise" Itwould
be more than difficult, it would be imposs-
hle, to show with what better grace or more
honesty the members of a legislative body
can receive costly gifts after the close Of
their labors, than the judges Of any bench
ct the close of the sitting cf the Court
should permit the desks and tables Of the
courtroom to be burdened with gifts be-
slowed upon them by suitors or attorneys.
Yet for such transaction, they would be
impeached, and rightfully. For no great
er offences than these, Lord Bacon was
deposed from the high position of Chief
Justice of England. But why connect
these transactions with the evil of special
legislation? :? Simply because they are
part of and consequent on that evil.
1t matters not with what iudiscretion
these things are done-whether bestowed
in the name of Pompey or the name of
Caesar. Men are not such simpletons as
TO believe that Senators and Representa-
tiveS have no more urgent use for their
money than to lavish it on each other as
paramour would on his mistress.
But the thing is done, just as it has
been done, and will be again, unless the
proper remedy is applied. 1t is more
worthy to discuss the remedy than merely
TO denounce the evil. If these shameful
scenes and the reckless course of our lately
adjourned Legislature will wake up the
people to the necessity of sending only
men Of sterling character to the Legisla-
ture, the battle will b. half won. We are
always too ready TO iy to a change in the
statute as a cure for political or social
.evil-as though public sentiment or pri-
tent than Il hundred statutes-as though
" statute availed anything in free coun-
trY as measure of social or moral reform
when not supported by the virtue Of the
people. Hence we say that the first thing
and the great thing to do is to arouse the
attention and conscience of the people
Iet even were this done, it would not be
found an easy task u procure trustworthy
and capable men in all parts of the State
willing to sacrifice personal comfort and
private business for the sake of one Tear
in the Genera! Assembly. Were the term
extended, it would ohyiate this difficulty,
though plausible objections could be rails
cd to any extension the term. Still, the
one-year system tc'.2s 20 keep out Of the
Assembly capable and worthy men who
might otherwise be obtained A comprc-
hcnsive civil eide could be framed, by
which the necessity and opportunity OF
special Legislation could be obviated.-
Hints are thrown out that the present
Civil Code Commission will give rs such
measure. We shall hope, The increase
81 the number Of members is also advoca-
ted Certain it is that in some Of the
;'tatcs where the number is greatly in ex-
cces Of ours, these evils are not SO burden
sonle as with US. Bst we say sgain, that
- arouse the attention and conscience OF
tie people is TO win half the battle.