The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1873-02-20
No Special Legislation.

1 Oe0nt and often IeP01 ~
snd iII.considered legislation. We
| have altogether too many new laws,
and too much tinkering Of old ones.
The article from which we extract
was written in view Of the forthcom-
Ing report Of constitutional commits
sion and the probable revision there
upon Of the fundamental law Of New
York. But notwithstanding this diff
ference in the situation we Ia Iowa
can find worthy subject for thought
in the facts and suggestions given BY
the as,ute New York editor:
zone OF the admirable advantages
of our system ola union Of States Is
that such necessary political expert
ments, so to speak, can b. tried with
out involving the whole country.
Changes which are found in the expe-
rience OF one State to be positive
improvements can be adopted almost
without debate in others, while the
com paratively limited area Of single
State affords the most convenient OPP
portunity for testing the value and
practicability Of such changes.
1.-THE chief change that should be
made in New York-a change which
experience shows to be most desirable
to simplify and, above all, to purify
legislation-is the abolition Of special
legislation. At the last session of the
New York Legislature about thou
sand bills were passed. At the last
Sc ssion of the Illinois Legislature
about seventy. Which legislation was
probably the more intelligent, useful,
economical, and honest? Which af-
forded the most opportunity for skill
ed talent" and for "log-rolling?' Mr..
MEDILL, the Mayor Of Chicago, q gen.
tleman who had justly great influence
in the formation of the new Illinois |
Constitution, and who is one Of the
soundest and most practical political
thinkers in the country, says, in a
letter to the honorable ERAsTUs
BROOKS, . member Of the New York
Commission, that the Illinois Legisla-
ture devoted more care and consider
alton last session to the framing Of
bills than the preceding ten General
Assemblies all together. And it was
the only Legislature in twenty years
that adjourned without the faint Of
corruption, jobbery, blsck-mail, or
bribery upon its skirts. 1t passed
more well-considered and useful laws
repeating at the same time defective
ones-thsn its predecessors in dozen /
years......It was the first Legislature
since my residence in the State that
was not run by the lobby
"Mr. MEDILL does not, of course. at !!
tribute these good results to any one :
provision in the Constitution, bu. the
prohibition of special leglation is one
Of the most efficient causes. 1t il
terrible blow at the lobby, and skilled d
talent derides it Is visionary. But ii
Mr.. BROOKS has proposed rs an e,
I'M sndment to the New York Consti- b,
ution a prohibition of special lesisla-
ion like that already adopted in
illinois, aud the good effects of such m
revision are not limited to the legis- w
ature. Not only does it destroy so in
,uch utterly ignorant legislation-for NJ
hat can y member from Suffolk ne
ouDty know of the bridges and other
cal necessities of Chsutauquao but
referring to the local communities a.
9 care of their own affairs, il throws u
ION the citizens ofthose communities y
9 responsibility Of their local loeis y
ion. 1.-THE country is substantially p
govern itself, the men of intelli- -
nee in it must actively interest
emselves, or they will suffer. !,
we suppose there is little doubt r
1t the Commission will submit an !.
lendment of the kind suggested by :
!, Brooks, aud we therefore add the !,
It of the provision, which, as We )
d, is in substance the Illinois Sec
u, which has produced the most >
mirable results:
1.-THE Legislature shalt not pass
cal or special laws in any Of the fol-
wing enumerated cases, that is to
~, for
Granting divorces.
Changing the names Of persons and
laces.
Laying out, opening, altering, and
vorking roads or highways.
Vacating roads, streets, alleys, and
'ublic grounds.
Locating or changing county seats.
Regulating county and town affairs.
Regulating the practice in courts of
ustice.
Regulating the Jurisdiction and du-
les OF justices of the peace, police
and constables. .
Providing for changes of venue in
'ivil and criminal cases.
Incorporating cities or villages, or
hanging or amending the charter Of c
my city or village. '
Providing for the election of men, q
'ers of the Board of Supervisors in =
owns or cities.
Summoning and impaneling Grand !
n Peul Jurles.
Providing for the management of u
ommon schools. q
Regulating the rate of interest on :
1oney.
The opening and conducting of any p
lection, OF designating the place Of II
citing. il
The sale or mortgage of real estate =,
elonging to minors or others under J.
stability. =
The protection of game or fish. N
Renting fines, penalties, or forfeit CO
res.
Creating, increasing, or decreasing II
e., percentage, Or allowances Of pub
c officers during the term for which
i'd officers are elected or appointed.
Changing the law of descent.
Granting to any corporation, asso.
alton, or individual the right to lay g
'wn railroad tracks, or amending ex- ar
ing charters for such purposes. NJ
y Granting to any corporation, associ-
ion, or individual any special or oe
privilege, immunity, or Ia
anchise whatever. as
In all other cases where q general or
v can be made applicable, no special -
shall be enacted; or in any case
acre general law can be made an OF
cable, no special law shall be enact on
Ihe Legislature shall pass general an
W providing for the cases before
nmerated in this section, and for ou
other cases which In its judgment m
acn may be provided by general fol