Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-02

The debate on the bill relative 10 rail-
road passes in the House on Monday de
closed the fact that there is a great differ
ence Of opinion among the members re-
specting their right, from q moral stand
poiat. to accept passes. The acceptance
OF passes from railroads 3y State and ma
tional officials, particularly by members
II Congress, S,sto Lee isl1turcs and
Judges, has frequently been condemned
as a very great evil. Ihe excuse t1at
was offered in the Legislature during
Monday + debate, thaJ ''passes arc u
/ courtesy between gentlemen" VIII hardly
pass muster. A gentleman who accepts
a favor from another expects to recipro-
cate at some future time. If he thought
that he would not nave the opportunity or
the power to do so he would not accept
the favor.
But how do the Judges and the l~egisla-
tors expect TO recIprocatef What do they
expect to give the railroads in return for
the valuable privilege extended to Them ?
They can do nothing hut that which they
ought TO do without the passes, and the
passes ought not to influence them 70 do
anything that is not right.
If the granting Of passes to members Of
the Legislature is merely an exhibition Of
courtesy on the part Of the railroads, why
was not the courtesy extended 70 the same
gentlemen before they became members?
Presenting the question in this way, it
becomes apparent at once that the passes
are granted to the official, and not to the
man. And why to the official? Because
it is in the power of the official to do the
railroads harm.
II the railroads were certain that the
Withholding of passes would not provoke
a feeling Of hostility to them, would they
be so ready to grant them? OF course
they would not. In fact, they would be
very glad 10 get rid Of the pass burden.
u ia a heavy tax on them, for which they
receive 10 return.
1t is probably tru that the members "
the Georgia Legislature do not ask for
passes, but do they o expect themf
The truth is, perhaps, that the passes are
issued not as a matter Of courtesy, but to
prevent, as far as possible, attempts at
hostile legislation. The passes may not
have that effect, but it is doubtless hoped
thai they will.
There is no doubt that the free pass
system costs this State many thousands
of dollars every time the Legislature
meets. The cost of the Legislature is
about $500 a day. The free passes
enable members to 90 to their homes FREE
quentIy. The consequence is that bust
ness is delayed or account Of the absence
Of members, Days ana days are wasted
because there is no quorum present, or
because important bills cannot be acted
upon on account CT the absence OF the
lesdingmembers of the committees which
have them in charge.
When the Constitution liked the forty
day. limit for the biennial session the
free pass system was not taken into con.
sideration. If 1t had been it would have
been toreseen, doubtless, that the Legisla-
ture every two years, would be in session
nearer n hundred and forty days than
forty. With free passes to go to their
homes, look after their business affairs
and return as often as thes please, men,
bers are not so anxious for adjournment
as if they had to remain continuously at
tho capital until through with their legis-
lative work. Who can say that the free
pass system hasn't added $4,000 to the
cost of the present Legislature?