Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-04
woRcEsrER
THURSDAY. JANUARY 4. 1879.

The organization Of the legislature was
speedily accomplished yesterday. There was no
serious contest over any of the offices, and the
gentlemen elected have the confidence OF the
people as well as of the members of the house
aud senate The president of the senate has
already given proof of his capacity and up
rightness in that station. Mr. Sanford, The
speaker Of The house, has served the public
faithfully elsewhere, and is a strong, true man,
who NAV safely be trusted to use the great IN
fuence which his office gives him upon the leg
isative work of the year, with 1rmness and sa-
gacity, uninfuenced by motives of personal in
terest or favor, or by any other consideration
than desire 10 advance the general welfare.
The substantial legislative work is now done in
the committee rooms, and it makes great
difference whether the committees are made
up by such man, guided by such
motives, or by a man Of different sort,
deficient in independence, who could be induced
to sacrifice his own convictions of duly, if he
had any, at the demand or through the persua-
sion of corrupt ring. The lobbyists will find
nefavor with Mr.. Sanford or with Mr.. Coolidge.
We are sure thar they look upon the action OF
yesterday as unfortunate for their schemes, of
watch they have plenty to bring forward when
the time seems propitious. We are glad to be
assured that the temper of both houses is APP
parenty adverse to them; that.a known lobbyist
is regarded with suspicion and disapproval; and
that, far as can be judged at present. the lobby
is likely TO have less to do with the legislation Of
this year than has OF late been usual.
French genius has discovered new field for
censorship. CensorS of the press, of pnbic
speakers and lecturers, of dramatic representa-
lions and of caricatures, have been known else
where, and 10 France under other governments
but it was reserved for NJ. Theirs administra-
ton TO establish censorship of toys. 1t has
been done, and of course the censors had busy
time of II while the stock of Christmas toys was
preparing. General Loduurault has, at the call
of his country, assumed the arduous and re
sponsihle duty Of inspecting the jumping jlcks,
Noah's arks, dolls, and other like contrivances
TO see that no reasonable conspiracy and no
mischievous political allusion turks among these
apparently innocent means OF amusing chill
dren. Myriads of leaden soldiers, each no doubt
as valiant and steadfast as that immOrtalized by
Hans Andersen, have passed in review before the
general. France breads these pigmy battalons,
but this intrepid officer does not quail before
them. He offers his loyal breast as The defense
of his country, and boldly confronts her insd
ious enemies. His proves is tremendous;
whole companies fail at once before him, if he
detects in them any token of hostility to France.
We have not heard that this valiant soldier per-
a., IL, -, A. l,%o
To f ght successfully against the German armies
required slightly different qualities from those
needed in his present employment; but il the
grand nation" which once defied a world in
arms, now trembles before regiment of toys,
it is the duty OF good sodar to aid her in re-
pelling the present danger, rather than to
sigh for worhier antagonists Models of play
things INTENDED for expectation may escape the
censorship, but only, we suppose, If stamped,
like British playing cards, which have not paid
the excis duty, with notice of the penalty fer
seSfng or using them within the national terri
torys>> "A political toy, steam guiotine, has
recentiybeen invented by one Ravel Rigault. 1t
is of steel and bronze; the knife moves up and
down ccaselessly, and is warranted TO decapitate
sixty persons in an hour. Gen. LOdunrault sees
no danger TO France in this plaything.
The New York legislature takes the first OPP
portunity 10 undo some OF the mischievous work
of its predecessors. The first business intro
duced, after the organization of the senate, was
a resolution reset ding that adopted two years
ago, by which il was attempted to withdraw the
ratification of the fifteenth amendment 10 the
constitution of the United States. The second
was bill to repeal the Erie railroad directors
act. Employment enough of this kind could
doubtless be found to keep both houses busy
during the constitutional limits Of their session
without any positive legislation.