The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-04-19
A CHANGE IN SESSIONS OF THE
LEGISLATURE.

A CHANGE IN SESSIONS OF THE
LEGISLATURE.
AS The STATESMAN remarked some
time since in advocating longer term
and fewer members OF the Legislature,
that when the regular session of sixty
days expires members become so I'M
easy and nervous from a desire to go
home aud from knowledge that they
are receiving an inadequate salary 10
meet their expenses, that they De-
come listless and Indifferent and legis-
la,ion il neither as mature nor
complete as might be made
under more favorable circumstances.
Very few members OF our legislatures
are able to use means outside OF their
salaries to support themselves in Aus
tin, from the simple fact that they
have no considerable available means
to use and it soon becomes to them
matter of serious embarrassment 10
live in Austin on 81 day. Certainly
to those who depend upon their pay
as members of the Legislature Tor
their own support, and also to aid In
the support OF their families at home,
the matter becomes very serious.
No man, unless free from daily de-
mands that he cannot meet, Is capa-
be of that attention to Legislation
that the public interest demands, and
IL Is foolish in more ways than one TO
exLect it, The character of legisla-
ton for the last thirty days ought to
impress upon the people of the state
the necessity of some change. Doubt
less the practical effects OF their own
condition have impressed the TACT on
mem bers that q change is imperative.
In the first place longer
session is absolutely necessary, a
session of from four to six months
every two years as the business de-
mands or session of three months
every year or less if the business OF
the Legislature can be transacted In
less time. Either way would relieve
the etate of the embarrassments eX-
perienced by the short sessions OF
sixty days every two years.
In the second place a better and
fixed salary for the session, not per
diem, should be paid in order to Sc
cure the best talent and attention to
duty. II is a patent fact now that
{, is virtually absolutely |
controlled by few leading men in
the two houses. The others 1t is true
are good men, but they have never
given the attention to the philosophy |
of government that would qualify |
them as law makers, and they are
glad to be led by men who ar not
perhaps superior TO them In any other
way than in this preparation in the
study of political economy.
Thirdly, the change ought certainly
to reduce the mem bership. Our pop
ular branch il too numerous to work
smoothly, and is cumbersome and
embarrassing. This too Is sus-
tanned Oy the fact mentioned, that
very few men control Legislation.
All of us feel and know that these are
facts that have for years demonstrated
a necessity for change and yet they
have no influence in effecting a
change and are hardly ever thought
of, until as at present, endorsements
are encountered by reason of neces-
sity for continuing session way into
the 81 day term, when all are in
hurry to get home and there is no
time 10 prepare even the preliminaries
for change. The very best thing for
the present Legislature to, do alter
passing the appropriation bills, would
be to inaugurate proceedings tor a
change in the sessions of the legisla-
ture and in reducing the number of
the members, especially of the house
of representatives, and in increasing
the pay of members to figure that
would command the very best talent
of the state. Not until some such
change is effected will the state be re-
relieved from mistakes that entail ex-
pense and immature and improperly
considered laws and the embarrsss-
ment of holding men here at a person
al sacrifice that they cannot afford.
UNCLE Joey Miller now wears q
coat OF mail to avoid wounding him