The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-24
The Larislature.

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There is no reason to expect that the
legislature that convenes to-day will diff
fer greatly from the one that preceded it.
The people expected a great deal Of the
last legislature and they were disap-
pointed. A vast amount Of time was
wasted because of the tendency OF mem
bers to go home and look after their pri-
vate interests, often leaving the House
and Senate without quorum. Time
was also lost in discussing matters of
little practical benefit The bank bill
for instance, took up several days of the
session, though it must have been appar-
ent to majority of the members that
the prospect that congress would remove
the tax on state bank circulation was by
no means promising.
It does not appear at present that this
lie yislature will enact a great deal Of
reform legislation. No reform measures
are being considered by the members as
far as known. The new governor
may cut out some work of reform
character If he does not the whole
time Of the session is likely to be taken up
with little local bills that will have for
their object some partisan advantage Of
a faction.
Throughout Gov. Northen's admins
tration there was talk of a reformatory
for young criminals and of the adoption
of a more satisfactory method of caring
for convicts. Nothing came Of it. Doubt
less there will be much talk of a similar
character during the administration Of
the newly elected governor.
The great falling off in the assessments
is attributed to the hard times. No
doubt there has been a shrinkage in
values, but not to the extent that the
assessments show. In many counties
the falling off has been comparatively
slight, while in others II has been very
great. The conclusion is that there has
been more fairness in returning property
in some counties than in others What
is needed is a state board of equalization
that will see to it that all property is re-
turned at somewhere near it's market
value.
No important reform Legislation will be
enacted, however, unless there is a num-
Der of capable and conscientious legs-
lators sufficient to induce the legislature
to follow their lead. Unless there are
such men in this legislature we shall have
only legislation that deals with the petty
squabbles Of local factions.
1t would be refreshing to have legis-
lature thoroughly awake to it's RESPONSE
bilities and feeling it should spend no
more of the peoples money than it could
possibly help. A legislature of that sort
would attend strictly to business, get
through with it's work in thirty days and
adjourn
No doubt much of the discomfort in this
state. resulting in the growth of popu-
lism, is due to the do-nothing character
of recent legislatures. The people have
seen their money spent without getting
much benefit for it, This legislature
should endeavor to change the record. 1t
should show the people that the Demo
cratic party can and will give the state
good laws at a small expense.
Owing to the fact that there are a good
many populists in this legislature, the
legislative proceedings will be watched
with unusual interest. Comparisons will
be made between populist and democratic
members. The democrats will have tc
| show themselves Jealous and intelligent
in order to prevent the populist from
| giving additional reasons for the growth
! of populsm.