Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-03-03

Wn seas CT i iuturs Nnicn we
trust may bring to all sunshine amidst
the tears ms. parable from mortality.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Our nefe hbor. the Independence
Sentinel, of last week. s~ays:-"ihe
state Legislature has SO far failed to
pass q road law. 1t hasiaaiisd to pass
a better school law. 1t has failed to
pass an assessment law. 1t has Jailed
either to pass upon prohibition or to
adopt a strong license law. 1t has
failed to give relief to our overburden-
ed supreme court docket. 1t has
failed to give any relief to large coun-
ties trying to pull up hill with the har-
ness of small counties upon them. 1t
has failed to do many things it should
have done, aud has done many things
1t should not have done. Unless it
can and does do something soon it
should be invited home to grub hazel
brush"
There is q good deal of injustice in
this arraignmsnt, but also something
for Legislators to think of, and think.
lug OF to act upon promptly. 1t Is
eminently unjust to arraign the legis-
~lature, February "a, for not having
passed the important laws Of the ses.
sion.
The mere passage Of these laws is
the matter Of = day their considera-
ton, amendment, perfecting, the
great work Of the session. The last
properly occupies the great part OF a
s~esslon. the passage Of the laws the
last low days. If the work is not being,
properly matured then the assembly ii
to blame. 1t 10 not csnsurable for nGt
having passed the most important Laws
as early as the time indicated by the
Sentinel. The session will most prob
ably last until about MurosA 20, aud
there is still time to pass every nee.
essary law. The sin of Omission can,
therefore, hardly be attributed to the
legislature at this tirse. What it has
done that it should not have doue
We do not know. acnce cannot clearly
see its sins 81 commission. The fash.
ion Of bssng h~ypsrcritical about legis-
lativs bodies IL one which would be
More honored In the breach than the
observance. 1t is easier to find fault
in q general way than carefully to
weigh what Is done and the reasons
therefor. but it Ia neither SO fair nor
30 instructive.
But there is something in what our
contemporary has said that Ia worthy
of consideration. Before the leglsla-
turo adjourns it should pass the legisla-
ton that is asked by the people and
that is necessary and wise.
An amendment to the road law
should be adopted permitting counties
to work their roads by contract aad III
such counties doug away with the
labor privilege for property taxes.
There are so many conflicting views
on the school law that we despair OF
any legislation there, but the neglect
to harmonlze the law with the consii-
tuition. aud with itself in parts, will be
q sin OF omission.
The assessment law for large and
wealthy counties should be made ade-
quate to their needs.
A high license law should be adopt
ed, aud Mr.. Jones' concurrent resolu-
ton passed submitting the amendment
to the constitution providing that on
stitutional amendments may be voted
N at special as we'll as genersl cleo
tons, at the discretion of the legisla-
ture. Unless these two things are
dens. or mi of them at least, the dem.
ocrats who are prohibitionists, and
those who are not but who are in favor
of more strict regulation Of the sale OF
in%toxicants. will have ground for cay.
ing that they can hope for no legisla
ton of this kind from q democratic
legislature, which would be Injurious
to the democratic party, and justly so.
With one or both OF these measures
these people will be disarmed of criti-
cism. and the majority III the legisla.
turs will have represented the prevail
ing sentiment Of their party associa-
tes.
Some measure Of relief for the su.
preme court shoald by all means be
adopted. This is question beyond
and above partisan feeling or personal
oavil. The present situation amounts
TO a denial Of justice. 1t suits large
corporations aud rich firms who en-
ploy attorneys by the year, and de-
sire the laws delay rather than adju-
dlcation Of causss. but it Is death to
the poor man's claim for JUST &c. often
even deterriDg him from an attempt
to obtain his dues. This is iutollera.
BILE. aud the general assembly cannot
afford to adjourn without an attempt
at q remedy.
There are . hundred or two minor
measures which the people care little
or nothing for. Let them go. The
important measures should be immedi-
ately orystallized 50 that there shall be
no danger OF their neglect or final
abandonment. Most of them are no
doubt in Way of passage: those Will b
are not cannot too soon be attended to.
The democrats are in such a large ma
jority in the body As to properly be
held responsible for its work. Let
them see 10 it hat when they finally
adjourn they may deserve The plaudit
"well done good and faithful ser.
wants."
On last Wednesday In the house Of
representatives at Jefferson City Mr.
jones. of Clinton, made a report from
the committee on constitutional amend
ments, OH House joint and concurrent
resolution No. 10, better known as the
prohibition amendment. The report