, 1877-06-02
Too Much Government.

I
to the constitution of the future; bd, he drop
ped some remarks on the general subject of
government which show that his impossible
structure was placed on firm basis. The
thing of all things of which Mr.. O'Connr
| was most certain, was that this nation is af-
ficred with too much government. There
nre two causes which lead TO this excessive ley-
islation. One is the well-meaniug bur over
| .alous viSionaries who think that men can
! be made by law virtnous aud correct in their
manner of life. These men work over Maine
laws and kindred legislation, trying to atop
mp loop. holes in their clumsy legislation as
fast Ms the black sheep of The human flock
pnint them out, The other cause which
mus. be held responeihle for great deal of
worse than useless legislation, Is the profit
that men find in it. Those who make a
trade of politics naturally desire to magnify
their vocation as much as possible, and 10 do
this they want the law making power IN op
| Grafton rs much possible. To this class of
! politicians he time between the sessions Of
Congress or the legislature do not count.
These are the twilight days which prectde
i the busy period during which the harvest
must BE- gathered. There is no way 10 sup
press this conrse of excessive Legislation but
by the cultivation of public opinion which
will make the pursuit of politics a trade
impossible. S1mething was done when the
discovery was made that States conld get
along very well with biennial sessions of the
Legislature. Something more will be done
when it is settled that legislatures shall meet
by law Out once in four or six years, with
ha 10, 81,
OF emergency alone. And a great deal will
have been accomplished when ,he principle is
established that laws should be general aud
simple in character, aud be snhject TO repeal
only when a fair test has proved that they
are inefficient or i'll ll-advised. At present leg
islatures meet in each State every one or two
years, and pass from 200 to 500 laws of a
general or special character. Que legislature
generally undo-s one half Of what its prede-
cessor accomplished. In this way the stat
utes of a State are made a hopeless jumble
kept 10 professional lawyers; and very few
of them can tell what the existing law is On
II :ase in point without an appeal 10 the re-
vised statutes and comparison with the pro-
ceedings of the last session of The law max
ing body Nothing in the way of Law Is &C
cepted as a priority. Tinkers are eontinu-
ally tinkering at the statutes. law is pass
ed at one session and repealed OF another,
without any reason either why il was passed
or why it was repealed. The real cause was
that hundred or more men had assembled
10 do some work in the way of legislation,
and almost every one desired TO do some
thing on his own account. So it becomcs
understood among these apprentices OF states
manstip that one shall help the other, To- the
end Iha. personal record shall be made.
There Is no hope Of supprrssng this evil BY
an appeal 10 the sflrs t s themseivCs. a.
we'll ask any other citizen 10 pronounce hIs
own trade or profession useless If not dis
reputable industry There is hope, however.
that the mass of :he people who do not make
a trade Of politics will arrive at a condition
of mind which Will furm a public opinion
hostile TO these infiuencrs. Then. when
there l. less money in the business there will
be fewer 10 follow l..
The other class who cause excessive legis
,i0n through a mistaken zeal in The work of
reforming their neighbors. are already fall
iog into dis,epu:e. The localities in whica
sumpruAry laws are sustained cnmpara
llveIy limited in number. o Cuuor uttered
u lThIstn NDeH he Sdlu iDd' SONbrHUftltS
may create evil, but cannot suppress it. The
standard of morals is erected by The una rit-
ten laws of society. Legislatures may con
rrayene these lnws, but c1uUUt successfully
oppose them. These silent, unwritten de-
crees pronOuuc by The undefinable power
known Ms society or the voice OF public opiu-
ION, shatrer all who set themselves against
hem Let soeiet~ ssnetion the social glass,
and al! the Legislation in the world cannot
banish it from the social board. Let society
sane lou outdoor anusrments on the frs
day of the week, and no penalty pronounced
by Law C IN keep people in the house. ShOnld
society ever eounienanae a light regard for
the marriage VOW, no fence the most skilful
la W maker could erect would restrain those
whose iuciina,ions prompted them to 90 a.
tray. Shonld society ever sanction every
form of dishonesty which do-s not consigu
ihuse who practise it 10 the peHitentiAry, It
will be impossible bv the enactment of laws
TO maintain higher standard in business
circles. Thus We see that society tells men
and women what they may do and whs'
they shall leave undone and there is no law
20 much dreaded as the DOOM society pro
nouuces against those who offend