The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-02
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2. 1890.
A JoVIAL LEGISLATURE.

The present Legislature, both IN
character and ability, will compare
very favorably WITH any that has as
sembled in this city since the war
with the single exception OF the
oversight in allowing the bill incorpor
alipc the American Tobacco Company
10 become a law without giving 1t that
careful consideration which the passage
Of the measure to repeal the charter
would seem to show it required. there
has been no important act Of the body
40 far that has exposed it to criticism on
the score Of negligence and indifference
la one respect, the present LsElsla-
ture seems to be decidedly superior to
its predecessors, and that is, IN the un-
usually large number OF humorists who
belong to it. This fact Is not merely
disclosed in the nature Of many of the
hills that have been introduced, but also
in the debates.
No occasion has been permitted to
pass uuutiized that could be turned 10
account in the way Of jocular discus
sion. This has been more especially the
case in the Senate. which has number
of Young men in it, membership whose
spirits have not been dampened by the
crave responsibilities which conhdlng
people have thrust upon them. To this
circle several bachelors of uncertain
AGES must Be sdded. and their influence
seems to have been thrown entirely on
the side Of jolly views of life In gen
cral as illustrated in the various meas
ufes that have come before them for
confederation. As might have been ex-
pecled. the mere insertion of the ore
word woman in bill has had the e.
feet Of making these bachelors regard
such a bill from the standpoint Of a
broad farce. Their sense Of wit and
pleasantry has been at once aroused.
NJ. .,se-:', - H. .i ea.s and adorable
diseased witha degree OF enjoy ment all
the keener, because totally devoid Of
the slightest trace Of gravity.
The ocular members Of the Senate
are under the strongest obligations 10
Mr.. Peters, since the bill that be intro
duced with view to licensing female
lawyers has afforded them the amplest
opportunity to dwell at the greatest
length on their favorite subject. The
recent debate on this bill was one of the
most amusing that has probably ever
taken place in the Senate chamber, and
several Of the Senators INDUCED in a
strain of remarks that seemed to afford
the highest qualification to their hearers
more especially to the bachelors, who
did not have the fear Of Caudle lectures
before them like their married as:o-
ciates. tor if there is one thing woman
resents it is that she should be eulo-
gized ard laughed at in the. same
breath.
The spirit Of fun prevailing among
the members Of the Legislature is to
be commended rather than condemned.
Ii would seem to show that there is
little matter of vital importance for
them to pass on in their legislative ca
pacIty. and it must 20 very far to IC-
lieve the tedium Of session that lacks
elements that compel uninterrupted
soberness of thought and conduct. 1t
also reveals great ease Of conscience, IS
il their legislative lives had been de-
void Of ofIense.
They will return home confident Of
the approval Of tho male portion Of
their constituencies, and as to the fe
male. they can save themselves from
all feminine attacks by attributIng the
ocular reflections upon the sex to
number Of graceless bachelors who, it
is to be hoped, are only indulging in
the gambols Of innocent lambs, totally
unconscious Of how near they are to
being led to slaughter.