The anti-monopolist., 1875-01-07
THE LEGEsLArURE.

THE LEGESLATURE.
The Legislature just assembled will,
we think, compare very favorably with
any that has preceded it. There is an
unusual number of prominent and able
men, of both parties, in both branches.
It is very probable that the Senate.
rial struggle will SO engross the atten-
ton of the majority that but little bus
mess will be transacted until it is over,
and hence the working days of the ses-
sion will be practically reduced to the
term of six weeks. There seems to be
the best of feeling among the members !;
and political differences are not accom-
panied, as they are in some sections. by
strong personal hostilities. This is as
it should be. federation of opposite
opinions is of the utmost importance in
free government men must agree to
disagree and each must concede to
his fellows as much honesty of purpose
as he claims for himself. Viewed in
this light politics becomes simply a
comparison of proofs, and he who can
furnish the best arguments based upon
the most important facts must carry the
others with him. .
The people expect at the
hands of the present Legislature
economy, retrenchment and
reform. We trust that every needless
expenditure will be cut off; and every
leak stepped. We hope that the Leg
islature will also give the farmers law
to cheaper the transportation of their
productions. If more than this is
asked for, if the reduction of rates o1
travel and the freight on imports, is
demanded, let the clamor come from
the villages, towns and cities, in fac,
from the whole people; but if the farm
ers are to stand alone in this battle
with the corporations, then they viii
first seek to protect their own specia
interests. This, we take it. is the sense
of the resolution adopted the other day
by the State Grange.
We would especially ask members o.
the Legislature to remember, al
through the sixty days of the session
the views, feelings and purposes will
which they left home. The rocl
on which SO many good men split ant
make disastrous shipwreck Of thei
!; political fortunes, is mistaking the in
terested clamor Of the newspapers ant
lobbies of St. Paul, for the voice of tn
: people. Ninc-tenths of all those VIII
hang around the Capitol, butten-holin
legislators, have axes to grind, and the.
expect the State to tur
: the grindstone and whe
!, they !. get through with q ma
they drop him like sucked orang'
and he goes home, at the end of hi
'' term, to find that the siren voices
which he listened were the voices Of hi
enemies, and that disgusted peop.
are prepared to shelve him forever.
And there is another point. All tn
fellows with axes to grind will max
common cause against the man who r
sists them, and they will raise bedla'
shout of denunciation that seems for
time to fill the very heavens; but
. you wait awhile, it all dies down in,
empty grumblings, and there Is nothir
left of it. Hence the legislator neet
nerve and backbone, rs we'll as SEN
and honesty. Let him never forget b
constituents. They are the tribun
> that is to pass upon him they are Il
plain, silent, honest jury who a
watching him from afar of, and wi
: will pass judgment upon him accordil
= to his work. Let him remember Il
: pledges he made to them, and nev
g lose sight Of their wishes. II they I
l. this, the State will have good laws, al
l. the legislators the commendation
:. those who sent them here.