The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-06

l
We venture the prayerfal hope
that the people of this state will not
forget that there are other issues in
volved in the elections to be held
this fall besides the choice for a gov
ernor; that the welfare of the state
is not absolutely bound up in the
persOnel OF the supreme and appel
late benches. There is legislature
to be chosen-a spick, span new leg.
islature. We are mindful of the fact
that in the estimation ofthe average
citizen legislator is decidedly small
potatoes as compared with q gov
ernor or a judge. To some extent
this may be true, but it is about
time for the average citizen
to reflect little, and lend his
aid to realize matters. By the con-
stitutiOD the legislative department
is made coordinate branch of the
state goyernment--of equal import
ance and value with the executive
and judicial departments. And yet,
strange to say, the people seem to
overlook or ignore the fact. 1t is
very much the fashion here in Texas
to curse the defective laws. When
it comes to selecting a judge,
whether tor the higher courts or dis
trict benches, people urge that the
highest order of ability is essential.
We want the ablest men to admin
lister our laws, to eXpound them, but
we are absolutely indifferent as to the
calibre of the men who make those
laws. If the laws are defective. if
they are onerous-if they impede
instead of facilitate the ad-
ministratiOn of justice, whose fault
is it? Certainly the Judge on the
bench, the lawyer at the bar, or the
jury IN the box are not to blame.
| We raise howl over the bungle-
some, many-method, onerous stat
utes, aud yet when it comes TO
choosing men who are to be the
law makers no such anxiety and
care is shown as in the selection of
the men who are to carry out the
laws. 1t is time to set about RENE
dying this, and the chief remedy
does not consist in filling the
judicial departments with talent,
although it is well enough, indeed
expedient, that ability should be
found there. The chief remedy lies
in the composition of the law-mak-
ing branch of the government. The
axe should be applied at the root of
the evil. AS long as voters labor
under the delusion that almost any
kind of man, so he be a worthy
respectable citizen, will do to send
to the legislature, just SO long will
the state and society suffer under
the curse of defective laws; Just SO
long will crime go unpublished, the
rights of property be infringed on
and social order lack stability
Given an incompetent law-mak.
ing power and the ablest Judi.
ciary will find its aspirations and
endeavors handicapped. Brainy
men are needed in the Legislature
just as much as in the governors
chair or on the bench. 1t is not
enough that legislator shall be
simply a worthy citizen. If he
hasn't capacity of the law making
order he should stand aside, were
he a paragon OF personal virtue
Brains and personal worth do &C
together sometimes, and wherever
found they should be utilized. Cit
Gems of the right stamp can be in
duced to serve if the people but be
in earnest. Thomas A. Hen
bricks, after gaining national repu
tation,, went to the Indiana legisla
ture one year to oblige the people
of his county, who saw that their in
terests were suffering through in
competent legislation. 1t is to bt
hoped the people i'll every county
will give this subject consideration
and insist on securing men of NOR,
than mediocre ability for Legislative
duty. The public should be consis
tent. 1t should either elevate TIT
standard of the law-making power
or it should cease caviling at tn,
Wretched laws that are made.