The Cecil Whig., 1886-01-09
THE LEGISLATURE.

For careful and conslderate re-
sumo of the character and work of
the Legislature now in session we are
indebted to the Baltimore .Sun, non
political, non-sectional, and uninflu-
enced by any partizan principles, it
gives a just and proper outline of
what is to be done and what should
be done in the following words;
During the ninety days to which
the regular session is limited many
questions of grave Importance will no
doubt be brought forward for consld-
Grafton, and perhaps for final action.
In the General Assembly of 1886, ex
Guiding the ties, the democrats have
a majority of seventeen in the Senate
out OF total of twenty-six votes, and
in the House a majority of sixty
out of a total of ninety-one votes.
There is excellent material in the
Legislature of 1886, and the hope
may be indulged that LEGISLATION will
be restrained and sinister influences
controlled by those who appreciate
the importance of satisfying that de-
sire for practical reform and improve
ment which is undoubtedly deep-seat-
ed in the minds of the people. The
practice of Swapping" legislation is
one that deserves to be strongly re-
probated. 1t is not confined to dis
honest or careless legislators. Many
of the best representatives in our
State and national legislatures have
been unable to secure some great adj
vantage for their own community by
giving their votes for measures which
they would not otherwise have ap-
proved.
Every act of a Legislative body
should owe its passage to its merit or
necessity alone, and the statute-books
should be absolutely free of all leg
islation of doubtful character.
When it is considered that every
law affects in one way or another the
comfort and well-being of a greater
Or smaller number of individuals, and
perhaps of an entire community, it
will be seen that law-making is some
thing more than the mere exercise of
power. Unfortunately, it has been
too often the case that legislators at
Annapolis have proceeded on the as
sumption that their own selfish ends
or the interests OF some client or
"boss" were alone to be considered.
The session of 1886 may or may not
prove an exception to this practice.
The choice of United States Senator,
Governor, State treasurer and two
commissioners of police should not
consume much time. The Assembly
should not be distracted from its pro-
per duties by protracted struggles for
offices big and little, and ample time
should be given for the consideration
of proposed legislation. The prop
sition to call constitutional con-
vention at an earlier date than that
provided for in the present instru-
ment, the various notifications sug-
gested of the oyster law of 1884, the
question of abolishing the compul-
sory inspection Of tobacco, the prop
osed sale of the States unproductive
properties and other financial prob
lens, the question of reorganizing
the board of public works and the
House of Correction board, the re-
vision of the militia law and the tax
alton of mortgages, are some of the
subjects that will, in all probability
provoke much discussion. All of
them are grave and important ques-
tons, and it is to be hoped that they
will be considered and acted upon in
a spirit of conservatism and prudence
and for the best interests of the State
at large as we'll of the localities more
Immediately interested.