Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-08
Governor Plaisted's Reasons for
not Calling an Extra Session.

In his letter to Mr.. Drummond. giving
reasons for not calling an extra session of
the legislature. Governor Plaisted makes
. very poor defence for his evasion of
duty. Indeed his letter makes more con-
spicuous the necessity for session than
the contrary.
I'M the first place the Governor holds
that the old apportionment remains in
force because apportionment is con-
stitutional provision. by virtue of which
the old apportionment must exist until a
new one is made. But this doctrine of the en-
ergy and power of a constitutional provision
is completely lost sight of by the Governor
in the matter of the necessity of making
new apportionment. To make new ap-
portionment every ten years is require
ment of the constitution. If there is vigor
enough in the constitution to keep the old
alive after 1t should have expired by lin
itation. why is there not vigor in the con-
stitution to compel the making Of a new
apportioument at the proper time. or the
impeachment of that Official for neglect of
duty who refuses to call the legislature
together so that an apportlonment may be
madep The Governors doctrine will
apply in more ways than one as may be
readily seen. and more strongly in favor of
an extra session than against one.
L.. =.
habitants made and therefore the appor-
tionment cannot be made argues the Gov
ernor. The figures of the census of the
United States give us all the enumeration
that is necessary. Do the tax-pay ers of
the State think it would be good economy
TO make another enumeration of inhabi-
tants just upon the heels of the national
census, at large expense to the treasury,
when we can find all we want in the CEN
sus bureau at Washington The number
Of foreigners not naturalized, whether put
down in the census or not, could very
easily be ascertained. and need not delay
the making of the apportionment one day
The Governor is very particular about
some things in the constitution. when it
suits his purpose to be so. but we rcmem-
Der that he now openly defies the Supreme
Court, refuses in the matter of appoint
ments to obey its decisions and declines to
call an extra session though the constitu-
ton plainly requires that an apportion-
mont shall be made this year.
The argument which the Governor
makes that calling an extra session would
endanger the experiment of biennial ses-
sions. is no reason for not calling a ses-
sion, but powerful one against biennial
sessions. II we must disregard the con-
stitution, If we must risk anarchy through
the failure to elect legal legislature. all
inorder to prevent the overthrow of biennial
sessions, then we had better have done at
once with the attempt to save biennial
sessions, rs too costly an experiment. and
preserve the constitution and the peace of
the State. There has not been stronger
case made out against biennial sessions
than this which the Governor presents in
his letter.
The close of the letter is a stump speech
against the Supreme Court for the benefit
Of those who were engaged in the count
ing-out infamy. His fling at the Court is
entirely gratuitous, unbecoming. uncalled
for. and if his position has any force at
at all it is to show the need of an extra
session.