The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-02
The Summer Session.

The legislature meets tomorrow aud the
prospect is that the session will be a very
long one. The opinion is expressed by some
will not take place before the middle Of
October. If the session continues so long,
the burden which the taxpayers will have
10 bear will be pretty heavy one.
There is a demand in all parts of the
state for better public schools, but the
legislature is not disposed TO Increase the
taxes for the benefit Of the schools. If it
we're to obey the spirit of the provision of
the constitution which provides for biennial
sessions its expenses would be so much less
that the school fund could be increased con-
siderably without any increase in taxation.
The members of the legislature think
probably that they cannot transact public
business more rapidly than they do without
making dangerous and costly mistakes. The
truth is that a com paratively few members
have TO do all the work, and there is a very
general complaint at every session that leg
islation is delayed because members are de-
voting their time to pleasure or their pri-
vate business affairs. If all the members
were to display the same diligence and con-
scientious regard for the public welfare
that few do there would be no occasion
for annual sessions, and the biennial ses-
sions would not be very long ones. The
expenses Of the legislature would be about
half what they are now, and the laws
would contain evidence of greater care and
wisdom.
icf cn hn
pie can't keep up with it, Laws enacted by
one legislature are modified or repealed by
its immediate successor. Laws are enacted
that are not enforced, and are forgotten
almost as soon as enacted. Comparatively
few laws are needed, and these ought to be
enacted only after they have been very
carefully considered.
Too much of the time of the legislature is
taken up with local legislation. Scores of
| bills are introduced which deal with matters
which ought to be dealt with only by county
| commissioners or municipal auth critics.
The laws enacted by the legislature ought
to be general laws, applicable to the whole
state.
The legislature could not do a wiser thing
than to appoint a commission to report
what matters should come before that body
and what could wisely be left to county
and city authorities. The Legislature
knows nothing about the great majority of
the bills which are introduced, and doesn't
| take the trouble to become acquainted
with them. They are purely local bills
and the members representing the counties
from which they come have them passed
or defeated as they please. Could not the
| county and city authorities deal with the
subjects of those bills with more iuUelli.
| gence and judgment than the Legislature
doesl When the legislature finds out wha
matters should como before it, and what
should be left to the local authorities, il
should take steps at once to have the consti
tuition amended in accordance with the
| finding.
Some very important matters will come
before the legislature at the approaching
session, and the people will watch their rep
resentatives carefully to see whether or not
their interests are protected. They may
not be able to take notice of everything
that is done, but they will be sure to know
who of their representatives are CONSTANT y
at their posts of duty, and who of them
show the greatest diligence and intelligence
in behalf of the public welfare.