Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-24
THE THIRTIETH GENERAL ASSEM-
BLY,,

On last Tuesday morning. at lo
the thirtieth general assembly,
sine die after n hundred
and eight days spent in he work OF the
For many reasons 1t was a very I'M
session.. 1t was entrusted with
the election OF q United States senator.
the revision of the laws, the passage OF
laws regulating the treasury. n other
laws. How we'll it has per-
its work it is difficult for any one
to say, even for those most intimately
acquainted with its labors. In Its sefec-
ton of a senator it so evidently reflected
the will of a majority of the dominant
party that no word of criticism has been
heard of its action.
In its revision OF the laws the absolute
necessity OF revising within itself, in
order to meet the requirements OF the
constitution. imposed upon it a task.
which, so far as our knowledge goes has
been attempted but once before in the
history OF the country. by the legislature
of the state of Maine. For the immedi-
ate supervision OF the work seven gen.
tlemsn were selected-Messrs. Hocka-
day, Wilson, Parish. Mcdaniel. Mcln'
tyre, Dryden and Anderson. The mere
mention OF their names is a guarantee
of ability. esrnestness and energy. ana
not one OF these qualities but was Law
ishly expended to give to the state such
a revision OF her laws as she has never
vet had. TO %collate, %annotate and in
dex the work Messrs. Hockaday. Par
rish, Mcdaniel and Mcintyre Will still
have to remain at their posts tor some
weeks. and we feel satisfied that the
legal fraternity throughout the state will
have no cause to complain of them.
When considering the matter OF re-
vised bills as they relate to legislation
it should be borne in mind that . great
deal of legislation was necessarily in
jscted into them by way OF amendments
and addenda, to reform evils and to
add provisions demanded by the pro-
gress OF the state. OF these changes ip
the laws it might not be too much to say
that the public knows absolutely moth
ing, as the mere titles OF the bills were
reported by the press. with an OCCASION
al allusion, more or less correct. to some
change as engrafted in one or the other
end Of the capitol, but rarely as finally
adopted BY both houses.
The eminent gentlemen most directly
| concerned In the matter OF revision,
while, OF course. too modest to boast
either of the quality or quantity of their
labors, say that they have NO fears OF
the result. and we think the public need
have o
As to the laws regulating the treasury
we are inclined to think that those which
were adopted are wise, and, as far as
human foresight car extend. sufficient.
The first bill presented in the house wal
an act to regulate the disposition of the
funds of the state, and n of the last
senate bills acted ON in the house, after
the onsideration of several others coy,
ering the same points. was one giving
the governor power to bring suit against
any officer whose accounts are not cor
rect, or who may be in detanlt to the
state either in fact Of prospectlvely
These bills have become laws, as have
. number of others regulating the treas
u,y. disposing OF old bonds, and provid
Ing for the protection Of the credit of TIL
state.
In general legislation. beside tha'
above mentioned. much was done. TIL
Cottey bills. the intention of which is t.
force holders of Missouri bonds to seel
their remedy when they feel aggrieved
in the state courts OF Missouri. wer'
passed; also the Booth bill'' allowing
officers to resign at pleasure. which
, only carrying ont a right clearly define
In tho constitution; q bill for the bette
protection of the county fund
of the state; a bill authorizing countie
to go into debt only for building court
houses jalls. ETC.; several importar
bills amending the school and revenu
laws; a bill prohibiting railroad con
panies from cleaning stock cars on an
but enclosed lands. very important l
the prevention of the spread of Texa
fever; q bill to better value and asses
railroad property; a bill abolishing th
e old lottery swindles; a bill to punis
''horse sharks"; a bill to secure create
o purity of elections In large cities
!, q bill to enable counties to prevel
swine from running at large; a bi
for the protection and propagatio
. OF food fishes; a better militia law
: a bill prohibiting property qualific.
8 ton to hold Office in Missouri; bills ft
the liberal support Of education; a bi
9 to compel county officers to account fl
al fees which may come into their hand
+, a bill providing for township organic
- ton in counties; a bill providing for o.
tanning statistical information; a bill r
ducing fees and salaries of officers;
bill establishing q board OF immigratio
a bill establishing a bureau OF labor st
%tistics; an insurance law which wi
bring in considerable revenue to Il
a state, and secure to the insured mo
le equitable treatment by insurers; a b
D for the government of the p%enltentiar
ID and many others of great moment, b
which we n take space to menti,
ID here.
That this legislature has done for Il
# people all that it might have done
one will claim, but that it was a sobe
+. Industrious. earnest and honest body
,e ono. whose opinion will be long consi
III cred. doubts. The Oldest legislators
10 Jefferson City accorded it the palm
" having done more work than any of
predecessors. As we have said befol
ID the quality of the work cannot now
judged, but will be demonstrated VIII
the laws are promulgated, compar
lg and studied. In the interest of the
a TIRE people it is to be hoped that til
will prove to be wise and beneficial.
81
J. M. French's menagerie establl:
ment, near Detroit, Mich. was destr(