The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-12-13
Economy in the Legislature.

All unusual aIuOunt VI uhAioey 10
being expressed over the probable
character and extent of the legislation
of the next General Assembly. The
different Democratic papers Of the
State have already suggested enough
work to keep the members busily oc-
cupied in a continuous session from
the first of January next, when they
take their seats, till the expiration Of
their terms two years hence. Some
oft is impracticable, some of it is
positively absurd, and only the
merest fraction of it is worthy Of the
slightest consideration. If the Dem
ocratic party of Missouri is in sober
earnest in its professions of reform
and economy, it will finish up its
work in one session and adjourn sine
die next spring. Oar Legislatures,
Republican as well as Democratic,
have fallen into the abominable habit,
during the past ten years, Of convert
ing the first winters Assembly into a
general debating society, and leaving
all the work to an adjourned session
the second winter. The Constitution
very plainly declares that "the Cen
erai Assembly shall meet in regular
session once in every two years"
Nothing is said about adjourned ses-
| sions. and it was evidently not the in
| tention of the trainers Of II COnsti-
tuition to provide for them. Not
| withstanding this, every winter wit
| nesses a session of the Legislature,
| the adjourned sessions c~Oextensive
with the regular, aud fully as expen-
sive.
There never yet has been sufficient
business to justify q General Assem-.
bly in this course, and there is moi
! this year. The work of electiDg a
| United States Senator will, of neces.
sity. be disposed of at the outset, and
| after that is through with, ten or
| twelve long weeks will remain for the
ordinary aud special legislation that
must be attended TO. This is certain
ly ample time, and, even lift were not,
| the addition of a third month, with
| evening sessions, would afford IT.
| Beyond providing for the maturing
bonds which come due in January n
February, aud All extra supply OF
funds to meet the interest OH our
indebtedness and to v the ordlna-
ry running expenses OF the govern
ment, there is little to be done. There
are, possibly fifty measures OF local
| interest that need attention. Action
on such bills are invariably postponed
| till the last few DAYS of the session,
| when they are passed without debate
"a COURSE which is, perhaps, wise,
but which could be provided for as
well the first winter as tho second.
| Our school law needs no amendment.
1t could be bettered, perhaps,
| but only by its total abolition ana
| the adoption of all entirely new one,
auch as was proposed by the present
efficient State Superintendent; but
if such a change was inexpedient then
| it certainly is now. The revenue law
has been sufficiently patched up to
last several years,Or until the increas-
| ed wealth and population OF our State
, demand another; and SO it was four
| ifths of the subjects of legislation
| with which newly fedgcd legislators
| employ their idle moments. Or the
| new topics already suggested, none
are of sufficient Importance TO justify
leugthy debates or tardy action.
Those that are really worthy of con.
| sideration will doubtless be disposed
| of in tho committee rooms, in order
to leave the two houses a clear deck
| for action.
Every meeting Of the Legislature,
| either in adjourned sessions or regul'
mr.. cost the State not less than q quar-
ter of q million of dollars. Our COLI
ers are too empty and our people are
too poor to pay this amount solely be-
cause a few legislators of volumiuou
tongues and scant ideas choose to
make empty speeches for empty news
papers to publish. Missouri has mel.
| Their the money nor the time to spend
in such acknowledgements