Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-25
Tho Now State Constitution.

Advocates OF the single chamber form
of State Government which ia now being
agitated for adoption by the new State of
North Dakota, are supposed to make
strong argument for their case when
they appeal to the fact that the Declara-
ton Of lndepei dence was framed by
single body. This in truth has little
weight. That body did great work
well. but it was not in the nature OF real
legislation. An example from history is
the fact that a century ago France main
tanned that AS the nation which is repre-
sented Is one, SO the body which repre-
sents it should be one: As the will
of the nation is indivsable, so
should be the voice which utters
that will 1t was argued by the advocates
of the one chamber assembly that If there
mere two chambers or legislative bodies,
with veto upon the act of each other
many cases Of legislation might arise In
which these two bodies would be reduced
to inaction. 1t was the result Of such ar
Assembly of 1891 provided for a single
legislative chamber.
1t shows the different spirit Of the two
nations when 1t Is remembered that the
of l79s, had under long consideration the
same questions, which were finally decided
In favor OF two branchs. Time has DEM
onstrated the wisdom of the latter plan,
while the French idea of a single chamber
has been deserted not only by the French
people themselves, but by almost every
Nation Of any considerable dignity which
has adopted a parliamentary form of gov
ernmeut. At the adoption of the Federal
Constitution the States Of Georgia and
Pennsylvania confided the whole power
of formative legislation to one body alone.
When Vermont WAS admitted 1t had the
same form. But it is true that while these
States had legislatures Of single
chamber, their constitutions were so
formed that the Executive Council exer-
cised many of the functions and duties
usually devolving upon the Senate or
higher popular body. But it is a strong
argument for the two branch legislature
that on the first revision Of their constitu-
tons, the three States named above,
adopted the double chamber system which
WAS in use by all the other States Of the
Union and by the National Congress.
During the past century while the cor
don of Union States has been growing,
each new State Is it has come in to line
has adopted constitution providing for
legislature OF two bodies.
This form can never be improved upon. |
1t is solid and impregnable. The argu-
ments in behalf Of this form are unan-
swerable, and experience has proved any
to be unnecessary. The double system
carries its own arguments-were any
needed. The objections urged by the
French Assembly Of 1871. of a tie or
block in legislation occasioned by two
seldom occurs. On the other
hand the advantages of the two house
plan have been tried and proved through
the century. 1t prevents hssty, crude or
attempts at corrupt legislation. One body
acts rs = safety check, and governor upon
the other. Unfair, partial or favorite
legislation Is rendered much more diff
cult. The will Of the people is more
equifably administered Dy two than BY
one chamber Of its representative We
have no hesitency in expressing an
opinion that the iual action Of the con-
stitutional Representatives In North
Dakota will settle upon form of govern
nent in harmony with all the States Ct
he American Republic. /.