Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-30
The Foriy-ThIrd General AS
aembIy.


Aembly:
TIE Legislature might be COM
pared to Msrch-it came in like a
lamb and went out like a lion. The
proceedings Of the last day or two
we're exceedingly stormy and undigni-
fed. Exactly what was done or not
done in regard to some very impor-
tant measures is not fully known.
The gambling bill seems to have
passed. This is a sweeping aud an
unexpected measure, fastened by the
conduct Of one villainous member Of
the fraternity, who assaulted two ladies
on the street. one Of them being 10
very delicate health. As to the
railroad bill it is hard to tell whether
one has passed or not. An attempt
was made to substitute the Edmund.
son bill as it came back from the
Senate to the House. The Senate had
amended the caucus bill materially,
and motion prevailed to concur,
without calling the ayes and nays.
This took the opponents of the com
mission completely by surprise.
Even Roderick Random Butler
was dazed and looked blank.
If we mistake not, the rules of the
house authorize and make valid
such proceeding. The opponents Of
the caucus bill, while claiming to be
in favor of mild homeopathic dose of
railroad regulation, are some Of them
Just as much opposed 60 the Edmund
son bill as amended and adopted as an
amendment. If there is any
ground for contesting the constitu,
tionality of the act it will be done.
So it is rather doubtful
whether we are to have a
railroad commission or not. If tie
Legislature has failed in this matter
there will be heard an ominous voice
of disapproval from one end Of the
State to the other. 1t is the history
of many Legislatures repeated. Wien
they come in the biographies Of mem
bers are written up, they are praised
in most lavish style and great
promises are made to the people.
1t is smooth sailing for awhile in
an atmosphere of Aattery. which,
like arsenic, gives bloom to the cheek
and elasticity of step at first, but
pals and sickens at last. When the
middle Of the session is reached and
there are no more Offices to be filed
the music grows faint aud the baud
seems to be retiring one by one fol
refreshments. A little later it canDol
be heard at all, and q different set O.
voices is heard in the distance
These grow louder and more
discordant as they come nearer
aud when distinctly heard to say many
uncomplimen aly things. This BIAS
from the people. blights in the tender
bud many hopeful young statesman
who goes home swearing that he woulG
rather be there than to have seat il
the United States Senate. The brass
band hardly ever turns out wher
members come home. It's much easier
to fnd fault than to make allow
ancss for the difficulties that
confront the well.msHniog members
of every Legislature. This has beer
as good q Legislature as we have had
since 1875, and that was probably the
best since the war, and did more thar
any other in the direction of practical
reform. This Legislature was Demo
cratic by an overwhelming majority
and if the Democrats had been united
they would have had matters in theil
own hands. Differences only gave
the Republicans some slight opportu
mites, Of which they made the most
The June platform was observed il
spirit if not to the letter. The STATE
: debt was settled in accordance will
the tsrms therein set forth, and a tai
, was levied which We hope with Othe
sources Of revenue, the tax ca privil
eyes, penitentiary lease, etc., will b,
sufficient to meet current expense
and tho semi-snnual interest on tn,
debt. If not, We phall advocate al
increase to whatever figure is nsces
sary. The way to keep this question
settled and out of politics forever i
to keep paying the interest as it fall
due. All IN all this Legislature ha
r done very good EqFk, apd j
} will stand out in history an,
: in the memory of men strikingl
, grand ana honored in comparison witt
the mob that disgraced the capital an,
the State two years ago. The contras
> brings out corona Of light and glOr
that will long lipger about the nam
aud acts Of this General Assembly,
a body that broke no pledges and re
' spected the will Of the reople.
Tue Rhode Island election come
off next "Wednesday. There is som
ll;ttle ;nterest ye;ted Oh account {