Smyrna times., 1879-01-15

LEGISLATIVE.-Ihe Legislature met laSI
week, but did little more than organize,
and adjourned on Wednesday evening, |
after being in session two days. The COM
mittees were appointed to take charge of
the various items of business coming be-
fore them for consideration. The comment |
on the two bodies is favorable, as fair
representation of the average looks and in.
telligence of the State. They will perhaps
have little to do yet for week or two
the press of business as usual being dilatory
in coming in. The recommendations OF
the Governor, however, are before them
and should claim at once whatever atten.
ton they intend to give them.
On the question of the division of New
Castle CO., or increase in its represention,
we do not see much prospect in its con-
summation. New Castle county itself is
far from a unit on the matter of division,
and, as Kent and Sussex would rather lose
than gain by division by lessening their
relative representation, they are not likely
to throw their influence in the aid of either
party in deciding this question. While at
tempting TO reform our manner of repre-
sentation, other modes of representation
may come forword and be claimed with
equal pertinacity. Chief of these is that
of district representation. AS Demo
cratic expression of the voice of the
people, the mode of representation by dis
tricts has strong claims. AS it is now,
preponderating majority in one Hundred
may elect, against the expression OF the
people of the other Hundreds, the entire
delegation of the county. 1t would seem
just and fair, as in the election of congress
man, that each district should be entitled
to the candidate for which it cast its ballot.
The shortest road to this and many other
reforms that are needed is by way of a
constitutional convention, were not the
constitutional provisions in carrying it
into effect so difficult. To carry into effect
the recommendation of Governor Cochran, is
q round Robin Hood's-ba kind of pro-
ceedure. 1t must pass this and a subse.
quent legislature, requiring four years and
then be ratified by majority of all the
voters in the different counties. Any
change, it will be seen, is difficult and
tedious. 1t seems, as has been charged
that the trainers of our present constitu
ton determined that there should not be
another change in our organic law.
At the present writing the course of the
Legislature on the question of divorce is moi
defined, except that in appointing the
several committees the Senate failed to ap
overlooked: if it was left off Intentionally
it shows hostile spirit that looks badly fo
the success of the applicants.
Another matter that is to claim con
siderable attention probably, is the enact
ment of a MALTA law Col. McAllister i
said to have bill fully matured down t
the minor detail, for the consideration o
the Legislature. Whatever may be tn
feelings of the delegates from New Castl
CO., the old aversion to shoulder straps ant
muskets has not entirely died out in tn
lower counties, and the thing will be locke,
at very suspiciously. One Sussex membe
declared in advance that it "would cost tn
State 100000 year and be would neve
vote for it," The people have scarcely re
covered from their old fatigue enough ye
to crave "playing soldier" and it is douh
full whether the lower counties will give
any support.
The Governors recommendation in T,
gard to the Levy Court appropriations
warmly championed by Mr.. Dean and b
will not "let up" until some kind of r.
strictions are placed upon their manag
ment of the counties finances.
The mechanical interests, through Repr
sentative Ware of Wilmington, are pressin
bill for a law to prefer wages of employee
in cases of execution and assignment
the amount of 500.
THE Buffalo Courier takes up the deman