Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-02-26
A DO.nothlng Legislature.

8. .>O-ss~sessssS ave
Unless the time between now and the
first of April is industriously occupied
the present law making body OF our
State will pass into history as a " do
nothing legislature. Nearly two months
of the time usually allotted for its work
mas sped past, and but one month more
remains unless the members determine
10 remain making laws during the corn
planting season. The latter can scarce
ly be reasonably expected, for when the
sun begins to strengthen, the fields grow
green and the woods put forth their
leaves, the average legislator grows rest
less and cornhcld, and meadows become
of more consequence than law making.
Looking back upon the past We may
with all sincerity ask what has the legis-
AZURE been doing in the two months it
has been sitting Where are the reform
laws SO freely promised that have been
passed ? There is nothing to show for II
WV WI n, Jll ~ lew lHttEIOTd-
ton act, that could as well have been
subs rived by Going before the courts
the amendments to two railroad bills
and the pa,>a,r uf an act to make good
u De nocralir deficiency OF $50, OoO in
the IA administration Of city affairs.
We may inquire, but with no eXvccta-
ton of finding out what has been done
IN The committee rooms We do not
know what bills may there be prepared
to hurl in an avalanche upon us. OF
one thing, however, we may rest as
slrtd: That which was most earnestly
= ked for and which was most posi-
lively promised, WI. not be obtained.
That is fair and equitable representation
in the Legislature. Tn" people of New
Castle County may as we'll make up
their minds to remain in yasalape and
slavery awhile longer 50 far as the
present Legislature is concerned or any
other legislature elected by the Demo-
cratic party. The iron heel Of a grind
ing political despotI,m is upon their
necks and they must submit or throw
Oft the yoke by revolution. For the lat
ter Il long suffering people are not yet
ripe, but notice might as well be served
upon the political despots who are tri-
fling with the rights and liberties Of the
people, that their power will be broken
by an indignant people when the proper
time comes. Equal representation then
is one OF the things promised which will
not be given.
BY the side Of it we may place district
representation. There is no hope for il
though it was promised. Had We even
that, there would be some hone for
the future, bu' thai small boon will no.
be granted Two months gone and the
promised amended school law ,iunbrps
in the committee room General edu-
cation Is detrimental ~ the success Of
the Democratic party and hence there
is not much heart in making the school
system III N" state more efficient for
good. A licensed or AN unlicensed gin
shop will max" tWirr the number Of
Democrat" votes thai u well regulated
school will max" and h"nr" the general
Democratic antlpalhy to local option,
and a l,Situti,,,, TO, II. al
system. There may be something dome
for Judicial reform, but that also seems
10 take long maps in the committee
room.
Aside from III" reforms promised
during the campaign that kept the
Democrats in power here i, the aIncud-
"t city charter which IN all probability
II passed at all will b" riLrrrd with pD-
lice and water commissions hirh 'hrI
prOplr OF Wilmington do not want. III
The legislator" purSUr~ the same cprlr~"
with bills proposed for partisan pur-
poses thar it pur>u"~ with III" reform
measures which the people did want, il
will br an escape from III" most hlgOtr,l
an partisan Legislation That WAS eyer
attempted 10 b. afflicted upon IN al
ready oppressed people. \, the l"Lis-
iatnrr seems 10 he determined to do no
prac'irai good in the way Of REFORM vel
ran but drvrUty hope that the warm
I'll