New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-26

easure, at least TO make il incumbent upoh
its friends to make some exerton 10 Dilhs
ont full vote uDOn its adoption.
The opposition to the change which arises
from local considerations is confined chiefly
to Hartford. and 4 based upon the benefit tn
local trade, and perhaps-though this is not 50
certain-upon the social advantages derive"
from the annual session. Hartford people
have had a long fsht over tie Capiiai Pues-
ton. and only few years ago snccee"eu III
establishing their city as the sole ins'eau q,
the semi-capital. \ good deal OF the zeal
manifested in that controversy was 10 uouo'
due to considerations Of profit arlsing rom
,be prosnect of having the Legislature every
wear. instead of once in two years. 1t Is not
unnatural. therefore that the proposed change,
which virtually restores the Old condition an"
leaves them no better OF than when their CITY WAS
cnl, q seni-conital should excite local oppo-
sition. If Il surprising, rather that this hostii-
itv Ia, not appeaFcd earlier and been more
general; for if we are rightly lnIOTmeu NV
representatives of that city did not oppose me
amendment at either of the earlier Stages OF
IT'S nrogross. In addition to tins pirlisah
movement on the part OF leading Democf'''
and the Democratic press has been ofs-'|cu
during the past two or three weeks tne op-
i,ct of which appears 10 be 10 deleaV 'H'
measure on party grounds. This notWith-
standing the fact that leading Democrats IN
fine Legislature supported It AMI urged us
adopfion. Precisely what object these gentle
men have in view it is not easy t. see. IL Is
said the party managers have hopes, in the
event of the defeat of the amendment ana
1 ..~t. faffr
plan in November. Of carrying majority Oh
the Legislature, which VIII give them an op-
nortruiv 70 alter the Registry laws, make the
state safely Democratic for the Prc~nrntid
election. and secure the return Of Senator Eaton
in 1880. But this seems incredible. FOR thc
Democratic managers are not Tools, ana u 'iey
have had half an eye 10 the course OF political
events and the set of the tide during the past
wear thew must know that their chance oi ear
rying the state this Fail Is very much SLIM
mer than it was last year. when they had SEN
ator Barnum figuring and spending money Tor
reflection and were badly beaten. II y We're
simply matter Of party politics the kcpuo-
licans might well let them have their way and
defeat the amendment, for nothing seems more
certain than that Legislature elected IN No.
vember would b. strongly Republican.
But this Is really Il question that rises above
considerations Of locality or mere partisan
advantage. THE TRlBUyE has so often here
tofore pointed ont the evils arising from the
lrequ.ucy of elections. the everlasting tirkcr-
iYo Of old and manufacture Of new and ox-
detrimental laws. and The celseless Turmoil. o.
partisan discussions ami political campaigns,
That il is not necessary 20 repeat them now.
There is no compensation for the dcmoraiiza-
ton arising from the Ipctua! politics OF an-
nual elections. 20 adv mage rnr conye-
meuco arising from annual legislative scs-
sions that is not more than balanced
bv the mi.chiogs OF oyeg-ieais,a.ion. With
fewer elections we shall have fewer uoh-
tciaus, fewer hanger -on and oficc-seckcrs,
and those who are IN Office will have their
usefulness increased by the stability Of their
tenure. With fewer Legislative sessions.
there will be fewer wild experiments in law
making. less foolinc and tinkcrius with good
aws, less opportunity 10 maze bad one.
The suong practical common sense OF Anerl-
can communities has been lending them for
several years past in the direction of rctrencl-
mept in the costly luxury OF popular elections,
and reduction in the facilities for uNseitmg
statutes and confusing codes. Biennial cleo
tions and biennial sessions Of the Legislature
have been adopted in n majority Of the States
to the satisfaction Of their citizens and the
peace of their communities, and We cannot
believe that Connecticut, having gone SO lar
toward the adoption OF 80 benciicent meas
ure will take any step backward.
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