The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-29
DON'T WANT IT

Just now considerable is being said |
about an extra session Of the legislature
this winter. That Influences are being
brought to bear upon Governor St. John
TO induce him TO call that body together
in extraordinary session. there is no
doubt a proclamation 10 that effect
from the executive would be hailed with
Joy at the capital. We trust the govern
or will weigh the matter we'll before he
decides TO call an extra session.
In the first place we do not believe
there is the slightest need for an extra
session. Secondly, it would cost the
people $4,000 a, least. because there is
no doubt but that the session once con-
vened would last the thirty days allowed
by the constitution. Thirdly, it would
be precedent which ought not TO be
established, because there is no more de-
mand for an extra session now than
there will be every second winter in the
future, and If the practice of extra ses-
sions is once commenced the amendment
TO the constitution providing for bienni-
al sessions, which was adopted by the
people by 30 large a majority, few
years ago, will be q dead letter and q
humbug.
Do the interests of the public
demand an extra session Of the
legislatures The people will have
TO pay the bill If one is held, and their
wishes ought To be taken into considera-
ton. We are of opinion, could their
desires in the matter be ascertained,
they would say, with almost q unani.
nous voice, that they see no necessity for
an extra session, and an extra bill of ex.
penses amounting to $4,000, or more.
The reasons assigned for the holding
of an extra session of the legislature this
winter, SO far as we have heard, are two
to-wit: to make the prohibitory Law
more stringent, particularly IN the mat
ter of the power of the governor TO en-
force the law. The other is. the passage
Of 9 law 70 appOriion the six congress
Il men 10 which We win be entitled aftel
the present congress. The last reason
can be easily disposed Of by providing
for the election of three Of them et largl
In the congressional appoFtionmen
bill. No doubt our congressional dele
cation will see to this matter, and saw
the people the expense of an extra ses
sion of the legislature. II we remem
Der rightly the matter of apportionmen
for congressman was exactly in the shap
IL Is now, when the number of mem
bers was increased from one to three
ten years ago. We got along then YER
we'll, and can do the same way again
We very much doubt the wisdom G
calling an extra session to amend tn
temperance law. We are just as muc
in favor of the strict enforcement c
this law as any one need b'
The governor and the other friends c
/; the law must not be too impatient.
Is going TO take q little time {
; enforce prohibition. The work is goin
on we'll. The governor himself has n
peatedly said prohibition is a success
There is lingering belief in the mind
/ of many of the opponents of prohibitio
, that it was not adopted by a clear mi
I jOrity of the legal votes of the stat
, because 10000 failed to vote one way q
the other on this subject. This belle
must be removed from their minds i
the proper way, that is, by a vote {
E the people. This vote will be had b,
> fore the next legislature meets, in tn
= election of members of that body nel
. fall. A fresh endorsement of prohibitio
at the polls will do NOR
to strengthen the friends {
prohibition and weaken its opponent
5 than all else that can be done. We wi
: have had a year and half's trial of til
r new system by the time of the next ger
{ eral election. After such trial and
: fresh endorsement by the people, an az
e vance may be made all along the lin
The law undoubtedly needs amendmen
t but we doubt the propriety of an extI
session for the purpose, at this stage {
D the fight. Altogether, we are decided
1 of the opinion that the people do NJ
: want an extra session of the legislator
f this winter, and that there is really L
c good reason for calling one.