New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-10
REVIVAL SESSIONS.
power.

There probably never was time In the MS
tory of the State when a proposition 10 amend
the Constitution by substituting biennial for
annual sessions Of the Legislature would have
been so favorably received as now. Assembly
man Green. of this city. on Monday presented
resolutions in the Assembly submitting three
proposed amendments necessary to effect such
a change Should these resolutions or any or
them be acted upon favoraby at this session.
they would have TO be approved by the LeSls-
lature Of 1899 before the amendments could DE
submitted to the people. and as they would not
come before the people for ratification until the
fall of 1900 there would be ample time for dis
cussion of the question In all its bearings. Inc
argument against a change heretofore mas Deen
that the vastncss and the diversity of the In
terests in this State depending upon legislation
and affected by 1t made annual sessions aDso-
lutey necessary, NewYOrk being In that respect
in an entirely different category from other
States. so many of which have in recent years
adopted the biennial plan. This was undoubt-
edly the reason why the late Constitutional Con-
venton decided to hold to the old custom and
make no change.
1t Is not improbable in the event Of the pas
first stage at this session that, after full discus
sion extending over the period Of incubation, the
same arguments in favor Of the existing prac-
tlce will find favor and the effort for a change
end in failure But it may not be amiss TO con-
slider the prOvocation for the present measure
and the reason why 1t promises to be received
with popular favor whatever may be the action
of the Legislature upon 1t. Undeniably- and
there Is no need to mince matters about it
sensible people are sick and tired OF fool and
freak legislation by inflated halfthinkers, crack
Drained enthusiasts, lunatics and cranks. The
history of the country furnishes no parallel for
the outbreak which has occurred in nearly all
the States during the last two or three months
of a mad passion for making new laws on all
subjects. 1t seems to be prevailing mania.
No wonder that sensible people who have kept
their heads are beginning to consider somewhat
seriously the manifold evils Of Overlegislaton,
and to inquire II there is any remedy. One
remedy, to be sure, and doubtless the most ef-
fectve if 1t were practically attainable, would
be found in the selection Of n different class Of
men for legislators. Existing political condi-
tons make that so difficult that the public mind
is gradually settling itself down to the next best
thing which is to reduce by one-half their OPP
portunites for disturbance and mischief.
The food Of foolish laws which is inundating
the statute books OF the several States to-day is
something appalling. The function Of lawmak
ing appears to have fallen into the hands Of
thinkers and fumbers and feather headed fools.
whose sole conception of it is that it must he
ndustriously. perslstenty and Unfortunately
cd nd OF hn lator bo
get at least one law on the statute books during
his term of office is derect in duty and has
failed 10 earn his salary. Fewer sessions would
bring some relief. but a series OF Legislatures
which confined themselves to the repeal Of USE
less. foolish. imperative and dead-letter laws
would bring more. and be most hopeful sign.