The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-03-28
THURSDAY, MARCHh 1878.
For Judges of Supreme Court.
HARLOW S. ORION.
Oh DANE.
DAVID TAYLOR.
OF FOND DU LAC.
THE LEGISLATURE.

Il
The session Of the legislature which
closed Wednesday last is remarkable on
" for its length and for the scarcity Of
important measures. But little interest
was taken by the people in the proceed
ings and little or no excitement was at
tendant upon them, barring, perhaps
the little furry occasioned by Colby's
charges Of ingratitude for passes re-
5---r -I--e.'-.l-
the recent decision CT the supreme court
in relation to the legality Of assessment
as a basis for taxation created, did not
invest with popular interest the labors
of the legislature to frame law which
would obyiate future trouble in that di-
rection. The modification Of the cum
bersomc and expensive registry law was
made without much comment outside of
legislative halls. The most important
duty which was to be performed remains
over for the special session.
The unlnteresting character Of the
session was by no means owing to the
absence Of the industrious law-maker.
lie was there in the power of his might,
thirsting for fame, swelling out with the
Importance of 735 bills to be submitted
to the legislature for consideration. He
was searching for celebrity, seeking to
have his name 90 down to posterity
linked with some bill, to have it uttered
with admiring wonder in the modest
homes Of his constituency. The intro
ductlon Of 735 bills was necessary to the
bruiting of his fame with sufficient itera-
ton to preserve him from the obscurity
of inacton There must be feeling
OF intense satisfaction i'll having ones
bills referred, "engrosscd, ordered
to third reading, " reported back"
&c. &C.. even if they do fail to find a
place on the statute book. Else, why
the introduction Of so many bills whose
defeat is assured from the first?
OF the 135 bills introduced, 81, less
than one kalf, became laws \ feeling
of satisfaction cannot be repressed at the
fate Of the other mOiety. But this
slaughter Of pet measures does not dis
courage the average law-maker. The
way to the Legislative guillotine gives
such prominence to the fated bill that
its originator feels amply compensated
for his labor; the splendor Of the obse-
quies affords full consolation for the
death of the child.
The passage Of 81 bills, many of
which must be repealed next year and
the killing of 394. has cost the state
$40. 000. The state tax levy this
year is S405. Geo 1t is estimated that
the special session Will swell the cost of
legislation tins year to $135, 600; that
Is, the cost of legislation this year is
fully / of the state levy.
In view of the fact that the almost
entire absence Of necessity for the pass
age of laws does not prevent a plethora
of bills, and that the consideration Of
important matters might exclude the cx-
perimental legislation OF the inexperienc-
ed, does not the question of biennial
sessions commend itself forcibly. The
principal duty 9th oughtful, experienced
members is to prevent superfuous legis-
lation, to keep the productiveness of
the aspiring within proper limits. Why
should this duty occur annually? With |
one session in two years the needs of the |
state would probably be such as to &C.
cupy the attention Of the legislature /
with the passage of saiutary laws to the /
exclusion of those which cumber the |
statute books and prolong sessions
Where the wants of the state are provid- |
ed for by he legislation OF 80 years,
aided by the experience of older states |
it seems that wants might be allowed to
accumulate for two years without de-
triment to the people. Experience
shows that sessions will occupy about
three months and the numerous bills that
meet their death or work confusion as
laws illustrate the saying of the ancients
that Nature aDhors a vacuum. Annual
sessions are fruitful Of miscellaneous and
useless laws and add in no slight degree
to the burden of taxation.