The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-12-16
: Oak BnlIetin.)
On a Very Short Session.

Some of our exchanges are a little too jealous
in their advocacy OF rery short session OF tho
next Legislature. 1t would be well To consider
what the next Legislature will have to perform
before we madly proclaim that ten twenty
days will be Il sufficient period of time To accom-
plish the imperative duties that will devolvc
upon that body.
II is true that the convention for a new con-
stution will be called at the earliest date con
sistent with law aud order, and We admit thar
many changes may be made in the fundamental
law as it now stands, which will nulfy many
of our present statutes as well as the snaclmenls
of the next session. and at first glance it looks as
if the next session would have nothing 10 do
but TO prepare Tor the coming Convention, elect
q Uned States Senator and adjourn. But let
US consider a moment. There are many other
matters that will come up before the next SEES
sion that will deserve atienliOn-matiers of seri-
Gus moment to public and private interests
which now know nothing Of Such meas.
ures always have and always will develop from
the first days of every session. These matters
will demand C lrctul investigation and considera.
ton by the members of the Legislature, they be-
ing the representatives of constituencies who
exact of them their time and patience, and watch
with Jealous eyes their every vote and notion
and who will hold them individually TO account
for every seeming neglect or injudicious measure
of the Assembly, and no excuse will be taken.
Therefore let us give them time 10 carefully con-
slider such measures as may come up before
Them and not by newspaper clamor cause them
10 slubber their work by injudicious haste or to
adjourn before their duty Is fully and completely
performed
In the first place. it will lake at least one week
10 organize the Legislature and prepare for
work Then it will take another week to get a
few bills into the han Is Of the committees and
obtain their reports; then another week, per-
haps, will be consumed in considering and,
amending Them then another week will be re-
quired 70 enroll and sign them up in accordance
with the law. On the fourteenth day after the
NEE ing of the Legislature the law requires the
Senate and Assembly 10 meet In joint session
and proceed to elect United States Senator,
and they are required to take at least one ballot
each day until the Senator Is elected. If there
should be three or more candidates ia the field ii
may take several weeks TO elect Each individual
member will have his favorite, and of course this
favorite should be the choice of the constituency
of this member, and he will feel In duty bound to
to fight II out on that line If takes all summer.
Therefore, II may be, and In all probability
will be, impossible 10 get through the imperative
duties Of the next session in less than thirty days.
and 1t may take longer time. We have elected
our representatives, the Legislature on account
of their integrity, and now let Us say to them,
"go exercise your judgment for the best interests
Of the State. and stay there long enough TO delib
crate and carefully consider such measures as
may be brought before you. Make no mistakes
by iniudicious haste, and you will have honor,
and the party will profit thereby"