The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-06-30
BRAINS AND LAM.MAKINa

We venture the prayeriul hope that
the people OF this state will not for.
get that there are other issues involved
III the elections to be held this fall be-
sides the choice of Governor; that the
welfare OF the state is not absolutely
bound up in We personnel of the SUI
preme and appellate benches There is
Legislature to be chosen-a spick, span
new Legislature. We are mindful Of the
fact that in the estimation OF the average
citizen legislator is decidedly small
potatoes Ms compared with a Governor
or a Judge. To some extent this may
be true, but it is about time forthe aver
age citizen to reflect little, and lend his
aid to equalize matters. BY the consti-
tuition the legislative department
is mpde coordinate
branch OF the state govern
men,-ot equal importance and value
with the executive and Judicial depart
ments. And yet strange to say, the peo.
pie seem to overlook or ignore the fact
II is very much the fashion here in Texas
to curse the defective laws. When it
comes to selecting u judge, whether for
the high cour,s or district benches, pco-
pie urge that the highest order Of ability
is essential. We want the ablcst men to
administer our laws, to expOund them.
but we are absolutely Indifferent AZ to
the calibre OF the men who make those
laws. II the laws arc defective, if they
are onerous--if they impede instead of
facilitate the administration OF justice
whose fault il it2 Certainly the Judge
on the bench, the lawyer ut the bar,
or the jury in the box
are not to blame. We raise
II howl over the bunglesome, many.
methed, ouerOus statutes, and yet when
1t comes to choosing men who are to be
the law makers no such anxiety und care
is shown MS III tho selection Of the men
who are TO carry out the laws 1, If
time to set about remedying this, nnd
the chief remedy dOes not consist III fill
ing the Judicial departments with talent,
although it il we'll enough, indeed o1pe
dent that ability should be- found there.
The chief remedy lies in the compost
tion Of the law making branch Of the
government. The axe should be applied
ut the root Of the evil. As long ns voters
labor under the dclusion that almost
any kind " man, 30 ho be worthy,
respectable citizen, will do to
send to tho Legislature, Just no long will
the state and society suffer under the
curse OF defective laws. Just no long will
crime 20 unpunished, the rights Of prop
er,y bo infringed ON and social order
lnck stability. Givon an incompetent
law-making power aud the ablest judi
oiary will find its aspirations and en-
deavors handicapped, Brniuy men are
needed in the Legislature Just as much
M III the doyernOr's chair or on the
bench. II il not enough that legislator
shall be simply Il worthy citizen. II he
hasn't capacity OF the lRw.making order
he should stand aside, were he paragon
OF personal virtue, Brains and personal
worth do 20 together sometimeH, and
wherever found they should be uti-
lied. Citizens Of the right stamp can
be induced to serve il the people
but be IN earnest Thomas a. Hen
bricks, after gaining national reputation,
went to the Indiana Legislature one yenr
to oblige the people OF his county, who