New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-17
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.

bill will be introduced in the Assembly
this week by Assemblyman Litchard, of Ale
gany County. in furtherance of Governor
Blacks recommendation for biennial sessions OF
the Legislature That is scheme TO which the
Governor IS fully committed by his messages
of last year and this; he is known 10 take par
ticular interest in it, and his approval OF MI
Litchard's bill is said to have been obtained.
How far his advocacy will influence the Legs
lature and what the views of other leaders are
will become apparent before long hitherto
we have not noticed much comment on the pro-
posal. and there is little evidence to show the
trend of public opinion. 1t may not he unfair
to suppose that members of the Legislature VIII
hesitate 10 recommend such an important
change to the people, inasmuch as there are
many Of them who might reasonably calculate
on being personally affected by 1t.
There is not the slightest doubt that New
York suffers greatly from over-legisation. 10
that extent Governor Black is certainly right
and he has not spoken too strongly on the SUD
iect The multiplicity Of statutes relating to
all matters and especially to private. transitory
and trivial interests. Is n heavy burden, which
grows heavier from year TO year. The people
as a whole would be immensely relieved II the
output of laws could be reduced by one-halr
OF the fortv-five States Of the Union thirty nine
now have legislative session only every other
year, and they appear to think that they have
quite enough. They, too, generally complain
that they have to bear Il load of superfluous
legislation, and it might be argued that be-
cause biennial sessions have not been their sal
walton it would be foolish for New-lork TO fol-
low their example But before adopting that
view of the matter it is proper TO consider what
their condition might be if the mill were at
work every year, and whether they are as CRATE
ful for their mercies as they ought TO be. 1t
will be said also-and this Is a point 10 be
weighed most carefully-that the vast popula-
ton, resources, trade and commerce OF New
York take the Empire State out of the class
Of Commonwealth which can safely make sucn
an experiment But it must be admitted that
the standing Of some Of the States which nave
biennial sessions is such as to strengthen rather
than weaken the argument of those who agree
with Governor Black. The small minority or
annual session States Is made up OF NeW-l ork,
Georgia Massachusetts, New-Jersey, Rhoce ISL
and and South Carolina; and 1t Will scarcely he
maintained by anybody thai any one of the
last five or all of them together can properly
be regarded as a criterion by the first.
The question is one which invites and even
demands discussion. and we are glad that Mr.
Litchards bill is 10 be introduced under au-
spices which will command for it the respectful
attention of the Legislature The present SEES
sion is favorable TO the prompt adoption OF Il
Constitutional amendment for which strong
demand is developed for if 1t should he passed
at Albany this winter it could be submitted
again next winter. when there will be new
Senate instead of having TO wait a year ana
could then be referred to the people AT the elec-
ton of 1890. On the other hand IT might be
felt that so important matter required ii
longer period of delibcration, and that view
might prevail at the polls. However this may
be. 1t appears 10 US that the time has come Tor
n fair consideration Of the question whether
New-York would gain or lose by joining the
majority of biennial session States.