Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-10
TOO MUCH LEGIsLATION-AND A
REMEDY.

NerS IN the Cldtc W hCSP B''eS "'''A 49,
enactments. 1t was stated in a debate,
the other day, in behalf OF biennial SEES
sion of the New Jersey Legislature, that
''the British Parliament, though 1t
unites the powers and functions OF Con-
gress and all of our separate Legisla-
Iatures and Constitutional Conventions,
and manages hall hundred colonies
and fourth part of the population OF
the earth, does not pass annually as
many laws IA the State Of New Jersey"
The same fact could, perhaps, be
truthfully affirmed OF any other State.
We doubt whether greater number OF
bills were introduced in the last Con-
gress, than IN the last West Virginia
Legislature.
Such an unlimited liberty for intro
ducing and discussing bills makes legis-
lation expensive and vexatious, besides
depriving meritorious and necessary
measures OF time for mature considera-
ton. 1t requires as much time and
money to discuss bad bill To death as
it does to give a good one the dignity OF
law.
There ought 10 be a remedy for this,
and since everybody complains Of the
evil and no one suggests a remedy we
feel called upon to commit the unpar-
donable sin OF making a suggcstion-of
suggesting, indeed, radical innovation.
We would strike at the root Of the
evil, which We conceive to be the un-
limited liberty of introducing bills. II
there were not too many bills there
would not be too many laws
and too much time and money cOnsum-
ed in making what laws we need, The
reason why the New Jersey legislature,
or any other, passes more laws annually
than the British Parliament, as stated
above. is simply because Parliament has
no authority 10 originate bills. Take
away this power from our Legislatures
and YOU spike the gun that does the
mischief
Who then would control the introduce
ton Of bills, and where would they or
iginate, if not in the LEGISLATURE
We would provide that at the time
appointed for the election for the Dele
gates to the Legislature every two years,
there should be elected three able and
experienced men, one from each Con-
gressional district, who together should
constitute what might be termed a leg
islative commission, and who should sit
at the capitol in the interim of the
regular sessions OF the Legislature,
aud to whom the whole people,
including the Delegates elect
should have the right and privilege Of
submitting measures for legislative ac-
ton. The duty Of this commission
should be to examine and digest all such
measures submitted by the people, and
to frame such of them rs in their judg-
ment were worthy of legislative action,
into bills that would harmonic with eX-
iSting laws, and to reject any that were
unnecessary or frivolous, and the bills
thus matured by the commission should
be submitted To the Legislature at its
regular session, for action, and should
constitute the basis OF legislative work
or in other words, the calendar should
Ge already prepared for them on assem-
bling, and while the Legislature should
have the power to amend, alterand other
wise revise or reject the bills as prepar-
Ell, they should be confined exclusively
To the consideration OF the measures
submitted by the commission, without
power To originate or pass a bill with
any other title than that framed 10y the
commission. The functions OF the
two bodies would OF course, have
to he accurately defined under compre-
henSiye rules and regulations, which
would prevent any conflict Of authority.
We only suggest the outline OF the plan.
Some arrangement of such character
would have the following advantages:
First, it would prevent the introduc-
ton Of plethora of bills of crude and
useless character, and yet
Secondly, it would give the whole
people the same chance of introducing
measures that now belongs exclusively
to members.
Third, it would avoid the expense Of
printing, discussing and defeating i'll
conceived and unnecessary bills.
Fourth, il would save an enormous
expense by shortening the sessions.
Fifth, it would prevent the enactment
of loose and imPertectly drafted stat
uteS
Sixth, it would prevent conflict OF
laws.
seventh, il would avoid the necessity
and expense of frequent colifcation
Of the statutes, and greatly diminish
their volume.
And with many other advantages, like
every other good thing, it would be
liable TO abuses. While il would be
placing the power in the hands OF three
men to say what laws should not be
enacted, yet the more important fact, of
what measures should become laws,
would still remain in the hands of the
same body As nov. And there are pro-
baby nothree men who would be chosen
TO such position, who would either
have the inclination or the motive for
TO report a bill upon any matter