Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-01
ANNUAL SESSIONS.

ANNUAL SESSIONS.
In view of the length VI sessions
which has become the settled experience
OF the Michigan legislatures, and the
unsatisfactory results OF much OF the
legislation passed by them, it becomes
very pertinent inquiry, what
measures shall De adopted to secure
shorter sessions and better legislation.
Undoubtedly the elimination OF so much
special local legislation and especially
local municipal legislation, would
materially aid in the solution but then
the inquiry again suggests itself, are
there not other measures which would
tend to bring about these most desirable
results? If the JOINT resolution of Re-
preventative Barkworth, providing for
the submission of the question of the
general revision of the constitution to
the people it should be passed by the
legislature, and be signed 10y the
governor, the reasons for such revision
should be discussed by the people, and
the best methods of obtaining the de-
sired objects of such revision taken in
TO consideration by them. Every per-
son who has had any legislative ex-
perience or observation is aware that
much of the proposed legislation put
before the legislature receives too hasty
attention and consideration before final
action thereon. The maxim "multum
in parvo" should obtain with a rigid
rule IN law making. The value and
not the number should govern in the
passage of bills. In the hasty considera-
tion-in many cases necessarily So
given to bills introduced many become
statutes which never ought to find a
place upon our statute books and in a
few instances, perhaps, bills fail to pass
which would have been benefit to the
people if they had been favorably acted
upon. But we are satisfied that these
are few compared with the former. 1t
IS a well-known fact that the action of
the committees to which the bills ere
referred when introduced, has much
10 DO in regard to their final disposal.
It is IN the committees where mature
attention to, and consideration Of,
proposed legislation should be given,
and where the real merits, or dement's,
of bill should be thoroughly inquired
into. and CONSIDERABLY passed upon.
Good legislation is the result: of good
large number of bills introduced at ev-
cry session Of the legislature, and the
time taken for action upon the same
by the legislature itself, the committees
do not have sufficient time for a proper
consideration of those which are re-
ferred TO them. We would suggest
whether more work upon bills, and ma
turer consideration of them before
committeeman consequently better
results-with a saving Of time and ex-
pense to the state could not bc obtained
by having an annual session of its
members. In the first session all bills
should be introduced, and the most of
the time of such SESSION devoted to
committee work thereon. After the
reports of the COMMITTEES upon the bills
referred TO them were made. those. not
then finally disposed of, could be
printed, placed IN the hands of the
members, and an adjournment had to
the second session. In this second ses-
sion, only consideration of the reports
of the COMMITTEES should be in order.
The members of the legislature having
had time for cool study. and mature
thought upon these bills and reports,
could take FINAL action thereon, in
much less time, and IN more intellI-
gent manner, than are now devoted TO
them, and better legislation would fol-
low. The experience Of the members
in legislative procedure and practice,
obtained during the first session,
would materially aid in these results
There may be reasons for, and against,
annual sessions of the legislature. We
only make a suggestion. in the interest
OF better legislation and economy.