The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-02-21


would make laws more speedily,
with less expense, and generally
with more discretion, but there
would be danger of being governed
too much"
Washington is said to have Illus
trated the advantage Of dividing the
national legislation into two branch
es, by pouring his tea from the cup
into the saucer. If | drink it di-
rect from the cup, said he, it scalds
me, but by pouring it into the sau-
Ger it is cooled. So, if-in the heat
of debate or enthusiasm, an unwise
measure is passed by the House it
must go through the cooling process
of second consideration in the Sen
ate before it becomes a law.
Judging from the progress of the
work of our Legislature at this
stage of the session, we may con
clude that the cooling process has
been peculiarly effective and sue
cessful. We think that, up to this
date, not more than eight or ten
measures have passed both branches
and become law, although more than
one-half the session has expired.
However, the work Of any legisla-
tive session does not begin to mani
fest itself until the session has quite
well advanced. 1t is not till then
that the work of the committees has
been matured and presented, and the
necessary steps for advancing bills
on the calendars, requiring time,
have been taken.
There have been the usual multi
tude of bills presented at this SEES
sion, but the indications are that
there will be very few of general
Importance passed.
The most important of those now
engaging the Legislature, is the new
assessment law. This is indeed, a
very radical measure, as reported
from the committee. If it passes it
must make some very radical inno-
vations upon the existing system.
The sentiment of the Legislature
seems to be opposed to any exemp-
lions except those specifically named
in the Constitution. The position
taken by Gov. Jackson is endorsed
by the new bill. The theory is that
any departure from the letter of the
Constitution is the matter of ex-
emptions will lead to infinite con-
fusion and dissatisfaction; that tax
alton can only be equal and uniform
by making all classes of property
bear it's proportion of the tax bur
den, and that any exemption of any
class of property is only indirectly
laying an unequal burden upon some
other class, and thus destroying the
uniformity and equality required by
the Constitution.
We rather incline to the view thai
this is not only good law but gooe
policy. There may be wrong how
ever in the manner in which thu
present system has been executed
and this may be relieved and made
satisfactory to farmers by making
the assessment later in the year.
The establishment of a Reform
School for children is new measur,
that seems to be favorably received
1t is demanded by humane consider
tations that appeal to the enlighten
ed, christian sentiment of the State
The practice of sending children o
twelve or fifteen years of age to tn
penitentiary is barbarous. 1t i
simply raising up class of Grim
inals that will be an increasing ex
pense and reproach to the State.
The codifcation of the laws i
likely to be provided for. The Stat
has already expended more than tn
cost of this work in try to avoid il
The subject of the co-education O
the sexes at the University has be
come one of the leading issues i
the Legislature. 1t has passed tn
Senate, and the temper Of the Hous
is decidedly favorable to it. Their
would be no doubt Of it's passag
but for the unrelenting oppositio
and the adroit schemes of few OF
ponents whose tactics would deceiv
the very elect They are not fight
ing it on it's merits, or they woul
have no chance of success, but by a.
manner of collateral, impertinen
and misleading issues. But co-edu
cation is one of the mile-posts {
our modern civilization. 1t canno
be long baffled or delayed. 1t i
coming.
There is no better friend nor great
er help to the teacher than a goo