The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-03-30
SELECTING LEGISLATION.
F'ojn IN, Pittsbmg Times.

From me Pdtsbug Times.
"The ideal legislator is a scarce
article, but those familiar with Harris.
burg affairs, know that by far the
greater number of the legislators try
to do the very best they know how.
Wherein the most of them fail is lust
because they don't know how. And
for this their constituents and not
themselves are generally to blame.
Legislation is business and its very
nature makes necessary elaborate rules
and decisions based upon these rules
for guidance in carrying on legislative
affairs. But no man however able,
ever learned these rules and their ap.
plications before he entered the leafs
laturc or very soon after he did enter.
He must see them put into actual
practice. But the trouble with the
most OF them, leaving out the mem
bers from Philadelphia and Allegheny,
is that they did not get second term.
Thus they are constantly represented
untried and inexperienced men, who
after they have learned their business.
are retired to make room for Others
who are put through exactly the same
process. Every one who has spent
any time at Harrisburg knows that for
very reason the business of legislation
Is largely controlled by city members.
men neither ADLER nor better than the
country members, but who represent
ing constituencies which rctrrn them
Tor s, 10 or - years have become so
familiar with legislative practice and
have so wade an acquaintance with
their colleagues and with public men
as to attain 4 prominence and in.
Huence that no one, no matter how
bright and energetic. or how brilliant
an orator,-lor the latter is a small
thing IN legislation-can gain in
single session, or even in two seasons.
The principal reason why country
voters make this serious mistake is be
cause they too commonly regard the
office of legislator as a mere honor or
reward for party service rather than
the most responsible position in their
sitt. The argument too often used is
this; "He has had it once. Ifit is
A good thing, pass it around. lie,
else have his turn This
is very low estimate put upon the
matter. Law making is too impor.
,ant duty to pu; upon any man
merely because he may need the sal
'ry. In fact the salary is not large
enough to cut any figure in the trans
action Just now the people are talk
ng about whom they shall send TO
next winter. There were
men II the last house who would be of |
10 account as legislators if they were
'e'elected from now until the millen |
mum They should never have been
tent at all But a glance over the roll |
II the House OF 1895 shows ;he names |
If many men in both parties who have |
proved their capabilities and useful, |
ness as legislators They have the |
.reat advantage Of that legislative ex
'erience and thai acquaintance with |
hose who will be re elected that will |
1t them for doing what it is supposed |
legislators are elected to do-pass sen
able laws and spend the public money |
properly and economically"
Space viii not permit us to insert
III OF the article from the above named |
'aper. but the writer mentions the
'2me Of Hon Andrew l. Fritz, who
candidate for re election. rs one
prominent among those who have an
extended experience and who have
ecoTds for usefulness and promi.
renee,