Thomas County cat., 1890-06-12

ascend until it would reach all the state OH-
ces, the congressional districts, and the leg
islatire halls; and finally, through them, the
federal government.
At the outset, it was my intention to close
| this article by proposing some measures That
think would be steps towards reform, but
that would make it altogether too long;
therefore / must refrain from it this time.
may, however, at some future tune, speak
my mind in regard to it; unless, In the mean
time, some mighty bolt of logic should come
from the brain of some one OF our ofnce-
seekers and strike me dumb. But let it come.
1t would be real novelty to see, In public
print, the philosophy of a Chase county poll
tician.
l will close by inserting some extracts from
an article that appeared in the journal
of Agriculture last winter. ihougn
the measures proposed are not adequate
to the full requirements OF reform,
vet consider them suggestive OF some very
good ideas in the right direction. Ihey are
as follows:
sSTo provide by constitutional amendments:
"First, That there shall be two sessions OF
each legislature, Except the first following
the amendment the first to be called the en-
acting session, the second the advisory
session.
Second, That the first session after the
adoption of such amendment shall be ad-
visOry only.
ssThird, That no bill raised at the advisory
session shall take effect until a new legisla-
ture shall have been elected and it shall have
been re-passed, without change or amend
ment. at the next enacting session.
''Fourth, that the advisory session shall
precede general election for Legislators at
least six months. and every bill passed at
such advisory session shall be published in at
least one newspaper in each senatorial dis
l. 80 = <ho tot OF aasf hS hQfnrp
such election, such newspaper to be the one
having the largest general circulation, that
shall have a subscription rate not exceeding
one dollar year, and will enter into bond
to publish the acts correctly, free of charge,
as official news, and to become the official
paper for the publication of notices by the
state in legal action at regular legal rates.
Fifth, The enacting session to begin I'M
mediately after the organization of each leg
islative assembly, the bills passed at the pre-
ceding advisory session to be read by the
clerk in the order of original passage, and
the votes taken by ayes and noes, no men,
Der to be excused from voting. No member
to draw any salary, or pay for mileage or eX.
penses until his vote is recorded on every bill
that is passed at the preceding advisory ses-
sion. In case any member shall be absent
at such open vote, he shall Immediately,
upon taking his seat, file with the clerk
statement of his vote upon each OF such bills,
which shall be published with the records of
said assembly.
Sixth, At the advisory sessions appropri-
ations to be made only for carrying into
effect existing laws.
Seventh. The advisory session to begin
Immediately after the enacting session shall
have ended, and continue subject to constitu-
tional limitations.
Some of the advantages suggested by a
plan like this are:
First, No bill could become law until
fairly considered by both people and legisla-
tors, thus doing away with the evils of hasty
legislation.
Second, Attempts at dishonest legislation
would he exposed and could be defeated
before they could come into effect.
Third, Bribery would become so hazard
Gus as to become utterly impracticable.
Fourth, The issues in campaign would be
real, not contingent. False pledges could
not avail. Candidates for legislative assem-
bly, could be required to pledge themselves
in public print how they would vote on i'm
portant bills. If they should violate such
pledges, the proof would be positive and con-
demnation certain.
Fifth, 1t would expose ignorance of the
principles of law, government, and political
economy, and would have tendency to sift
out from the candidacy all persons, the
smallness of whose mental calibre would dis
qualify them for important public trust.
Toledo. Kansas. c. GARTH.
Chase County (Kansas) Leader.