Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-27

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the State and adjourned sine die.
The bill appears elsewhere, and will
be carefully studied by those who take
lively interest in the future political
status of the State. The increase Of
representatives we regard as a great
mistake. 1t was unnecessary and un-
called for. We cannot see how any
Democrat of either wing or faction of
the party could vote for it. The Re.
publicans may have had something to
gain; they always look out for their
party, stand together, and get in solid
work even when not seeming to be
interested. For ten years to come We
are to have q Legislature composed of
thirty-three members in the Senate
and ninety nine in the House, an
increase OF thirty-two members over
the former number. The Legislature
has certainly been unwieldy enough be-
fore, and in the future it will be worse
The regular sessions will still be
limited to seventy-fve days including
Sundays. Several weeks are usually
taken up in organization, elections,
and getting somewhat familiar with
the situation. 1t is oftener the middle
Of the session, than earlier, when the
Legislature gets down to any
thing that looks like real work.
A majority of the members are always
new ones, serving for their first and
last time. Many Of this class seek to
make an impression upon the body
and upon the whole country. They
introduce many bills and make the
halls ring with eloquence. So the
session slips by until near the end and
then there is terrible scramble to get
something done, and bills are rushed
through in hot haste, which not one
member in ten could explain afterward
without reference to the journals or
official newspapers. Such hasty legis
tion is seldom judicieus or beneficial.
No wonder that SO many acts are
found to be defective and unconstitu.
tional. 1t would have been better to
have reduced the representation than
to have increased it. Had this been
done, and at some future possible
Constitutional convention the session
heightened thirty or sixty days, the
people might expect more sensible,
well-digested legislation. But there
is another view Of the question which
will probably be discovered after
the next election. The Democrats,
whilst not evenly divided on
this particular question, we're fighting
each other generally and if we are not
greatly mistaken permitted the Re.
publicans to gain decided advantage
in the redistricting Of the State. The
East Tennessee Democrats will find
that they have less chance than
ever 10 be represented in the
Legislature. In fighting for the 100 3
they forget all about the time when
the Republicans might get along
without their help on that or any
other question. The Republicans are
fighting to regain supremacy iu this
State, and they have certainly showed
tact, leadership and political sagaoity
in getting through bill with which
now that it is a law they seem to be
perfectly charmed. Nothing but a
united Democracy will prevent them
from sweeping the State next Novem
Der for Governor, Congressman, Leg
islature and all. Then would follow
the election of Republican to sue
ceed Isham G. Harris in the United
States Senate. If the Democrats have
gone mad, the Republicans will make
the most of the opportunity. This is
the situation for Democrats to con-
slider.