The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-03-09
THE CALL FOR THE EXTRA SESSION


THE CALL FOR THE EXTRA SESSION.
Day before yesterday came the anticipa-
ted call from the governor for an extra ses-
sion of our state Legislature, fixing the day
for convention on the 9th of April. We
had not thought, in common with the ma
iority of our citizens, perhaps, that the
subjects presented for consideration in the
call would be many, and only those indeed
of the most patent and positive import
ance. We are, therefore, somewhat aston
ished at the startling and lengthy array of
questions which the governor has seen fit
to turn the legislature Of the state loose
upon this spring and summer. When it is
remembered that an extra session is
not limited in time as the regular session,
and that the members receive the same per
diem, it is rather difficult to calculate the
| length or cost of an extra session, such rs
the one GOVERNOR ROBERTS has called to-
gether this year, when all the principal
matters for legislation in the state are re-
ferred for its settlement. The constitution
provides for one session every two years,
deeming this sufficient for all practical pur-
poses, and its spirit evidently is that the
additional expense. of any more sessions
than this shall only be incurred in press
ingly important cases, in cases indeed, of
necessity-such as a new apportionment
where the state would otherwise lose its
rghtful representation in congress for one
or more terms, or invasion or public calam-
ity, or the like, or where something had to
be Immediately done to run the state gov
eminent. 1t never contemplated that such
matters should justify or cause an extra
session, as could, without detriment to the
state, lay over till regular session. Even
so eminent a constitutional lawyer as Gov
ERNoR ROBERTS cannot controvert or deny
these plain propositions and yet in this call
he has suggested everything not of neces.
sity, but of consequence simply, that the
regular sessions ordinarily handle. Among
these may be mentioned: Supplying de-
partment officers with the facilities that
may be necessary for the erection of the
new capital; a water supply for the lunatic
asylum and improvements of the same and |
other public buildings; necessary action in
regard to the university and its branches,
the increase and disposition Of their funds |
and such further action as may be neces-
sary for the support Of the Prairie View |
normal school further provisions for the |
disposition by SAFE, lease or otherwise OF
the free school, university, asylum and pub
lie debt lands, and provision for the invest
ment of the proceeds so that the permanent |
funds may not be diminished at every in.
vestment laws requiring the railroads in
the state to be kept in good condition, to rem
der travel and transportation safe and expe-
dtious, and to prevent abuses and unjust
to regulate freights and
passenger traffic, and to provide practicable
for the enforcement of such laws
on the companies and officers who manage
and control the roads; to reduce the taxes
both ad valorem and occupation so far as it
might be found consistent with the support
of an efficient state government" and
closes this long list of subjects which are
likely, when time for per diem is not flying
rapidly by law, to excite great difference
Of opinion and consume weeks or even
with this sweeping infnity; and
to consider such subjects rs may be pre-
sented during the session by the governor" +,
All of these things were subjects OF
and controversy las
year. and we have not cspe-
cially suffered from the failure at
that time to bestow upon .nem further
marks of legislative handling, nor would
be liable to for the ten months next to
10 come. We think the governor entailed
lpon the state by his call an unnecessarily
ong aud expensive extra session, and for
he variety of subjects for thought has Z
possibly deprived the all important one,
itate apportionment, Of that extended and ,
,areful investigation which it, of all 9TH {
rs, demands. But so it is now and the re- !
for which, grave one, rests ,
lpen GOVERNOR ROBERTS, aud he alone /
his time must answer for mistakes and I'M i
lece. sary delays. There is certain num-
yer of people who will, indeed be benefited q
hereby, but the great body ofthe people
rill be apt to think over the matter suiii-
ientiy hereafter. We trust, indeed, in the I
tates interest, that there will be wis, $
aim, and speedy disf ltch Of the business \
Il hand, but the history Of legislative ac- y
ion makes our hope rather faint. In one n
aspect the governor can act very wisely,
nd that is by presenting additional sub
scts Of onlysthe first magnitude and i'm.
,erative necessity.