The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-25
SHALL THERE BE AN EXTRA sfssioS
OF HE LEGIsLATUBET

FIHE LEGIsLATURET
We frequently see this question discussed.
and as il is one in which all citizens have
direct and immediate interest oil citizens
have the right 10 express their opinions con-
cernineit. We say without hesitation that we
think the Governorshould not call the Legis-
lature In extra session asmatters now stand.
There are absolutely no public matters
which the Legislature could probably take
in handnow. so that there isnothingfor 1t TO
do, while there are very strong reasons why
il should not be convened.
The ground upon which IL is said to be
desirable that the Legislature should be
called in extra session is that II may leeis-
late further in respect to oysters. But lit
tie reflection must satisfy all candid minds
that there is nothing further concerning
oysters for 1t to iegislate about at this time.
Fsrlv In the last session the Governor laid
all the information which he then had con
corning the oyster question before the Legs
lature. and il was all that was then acoessi-
BILE and no increase has been since made 20
the stock. Both branches of the Leglsla-
ture considered the whole subject IN al its
bearings and very deliberately. 1t was
thoroughly discussed from every point of
view and the legislation which resulted was
the deliberate conclusion arrived at by the
bod from the lights then before it.
II 7as not a hasty or ill-sdvised conolu-
sion. II was the Legislatures deliberate
Judgment after all the evidence had been
fully weighed, and TO jot or title of EVIL
dence has since been added to what 1t then
had. It would seem 10 be a waste OF time
to call the same body together for it again
TO revise the grounds Of its former action
with any hope or expectation that its con-
illusions would be different from those
already arrived at when no new fact can be
presented TO it,
We have reason to believe that the survey
now being made Of the oyster beds will be
completed in about year, but that it can
not be completed in less than year. When
that survey Is made and the results Of it
can be laid before the Legislature the time
will have arrived when we may reasonably
expect the Legislature to consider the mat
ter intelligently. but it cannot be done be-
fore.
There is one very powerful and all con-
trolling reason why the Legislature should
| not be convened unless some extraordinary
emergency demands it, and that is that the
State is In no condition 10 afford 1t. The
money on hand and in sight is barely
enough 10 get the debt settlement into sue
cessful operation. If that sum is TO be
drawn on for the expenses Of an extra ses-
sion there is great danger that the settle
ment may be seriously jeopardized. And
the necessary expenses OF the Legislature
are by no means all the expenditure to DO
feared when the body is in session. Hu-
man nature is weak. The moment tie
Legislature meets appeals OF all sorts will
come to it from every quarter for appropr.a-
lions. and the members would be more than
human if they found themselves able 70 re-
sist these appeals. 1t would be safe 10 pre-
dict that the Worlds Fair people would get
their appropriation doubled at least.
We are glad to see that the Governor is
disinclined to call the Legislature together.
The Roanoke Daily Record quotes him as
saying TO one of its reporters on the 18th Of
August at Blue Ridge Springs;
| In regard to an extra session Of the Legis-
| lature, the Governor said he certainly should
not call one unless Il was imperotlyely de-
/ handed by some important matter; he did
/ not think any such necessity existed at
present. and be did not anticipate that it
would arise.
We note also that the Winchester Times
and the Leesburg Washingtonian have taken
strong ground against an extra session and
for much the same reasons as those urged
by US.