The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-01-23
THE SPECIAL SESSION..

Governor LORD mas DSen Ie-
Ested, principally by a few
rtland people, to convene the
islature in extraordinary ses-
d. The object ostensibly
ned to be accomplished is the
luction of the states expendl-
Fes, and a consequent lowering
taxes.
In discussing the feasibility
d necessity of the proposed
ira session, it must be borne
mind that the state has three
stinct branches of government
the legislative, the Judicial aud
e executive. Each branch has
peculiar duties to perform and
ould not encroach upon the
notions of either of the other
partments. The governor is
BIT the 1awmaker, and by what
eht may he recall the legisla-
Ire to undo its work of the pre-
[ous regular session There Is
Pthing in the way of legislation
lat it is proposed to bring before
be special session that was not
efore the legislators last winter.
Fhey considered all these mat
Frs that are now being agitated
assed what laws they considered
|ecessary, and adjourned. The
Fovernor had the right to veto
my bill, and there his preroga-
i've ends. Nothing but some
udden menace or unlooked-for
disturbance that demanded i'm
|pediate legislative action would
|1stify the governor in convening
he legislature in extraordinary
ession. To call upon the legis-
htors to meet at this time and
|emand of them that they undo
1leir deliberate official acts,
ould be an unwarranted inter
rence, by the executive, with
be duties of the lawmakers.
1t is apparent that the pros
ects of any practical good result
|hg to the people from the pro-
|osed special session, are ex-
Feme1y hazy. While some SEN
tor or representative would be
n favor of looping off this OF
hat expense, and others have
heir Individual ideas of necessa-
y reforms, it is doubtful if the
could agree upon
economical measures that would
:esult in any general saving to
he people of the state. In the
Meantime the expense of the
legislature is not inconsiderable.
"a bird in hand Is worth two in
he bush"
The source from which this
lemand for an extra session
causes grave sus-
oicions as to the real motive
prompting such demand. A spe-
,ial session may mean economy,
but it may, also, and more likely,
mean political jobbery. Nearly
every paper in the state, beside
he morning and evening Orego-
1ian, protest against the pro-
posed extra session as an unnec-
=ssary expense, with no assurance
IF any beneficial results.
The Telegram insists that nine.
.enths of the people of the state
are In favor of an extra session.
The statement is almost too ridic.
11ous to be denied. It is very
doubtful if one percent of the
people of the state sanction the
Benton county i:
opposed to the scheme.
IF there is a man in the county
that favors the proposition he has
not made himself known.
There is not much fear,- how
ever, of any extra session being
called. Governor Lord is too
and too good a lawye1
to go beyond his duties. And ht
Is too scrupulous an officer ane
too shrewd a man to heap VI
on the people of th'
state upon the suspicious demane
for economy from the very per
sons who are responsible for th'
neglect of the legislature to carr,
out the governors recommenda
tions along the lines of economy
bJ<rJr> haord of rerantc of thi