New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-09
GOTERNOR ND LEGISL1TLRE.

SO far a is publicly known Colonel Roosevelt
has not signifed his opinion on the important
question of biennial sessions. Possibly he may
continue TO withhold his views for time. i'll
consideration of the fact that the Governor of
New-York is carefully excluded from taking any
official part in the process of amending the Con
stitution. There can be no doubt however, that
Colonel Roosevelt is heartily in sympathy with
one Of the main purposes which the proposed
amendment is designed to promote. II is be-
lieved by advocates of biennial sessions that
they would diminish the quantity and improve
the quality of legislation. Whether this ex-
pectaton is right or wrong, the end in view Is
one which ought 10 be attained by some means.
and it is safe to assume that rs the Governor
elect surveys at close range the arduOus duties
upon which he is about TO enter his desire to be
Instrumental in accomplishing a salutary re-
form grows stronger.
There is one way in which Colonel Roosevelt
can reasonably hope to restrict the Legislative
output and that is by following the wise ex-
ample of a former Governor of New-Jersey and
saying frankly to the Legislature ut the begin
ming Of his administration that he shall deem 1t
his duty 10 veto every bill placed in his hands
which does not manifestly respond to n real
V.
that position and pretty stfiy adherDg TO It, did
actually render n substantial service TO the peo-
pie of his State. and there is no reason to doubt
that similar experience is within the reach OF
Colonel Roosevelt 1t might he necessary for
him TO back up his promise with an instructive
veto message now and then. which in itself
would be y good thing. Governor Black has not
made large use of the veto power. His way has
SI.n
withdrawal of bills which he could not approve
by means of private representations TO members
which, while they were generally effective with
respect to the particular matters under cOnsid'
Grafton, did not publicly declare policy or set
Up a standard 10 which the substantial merits
aud technical proprcty Of bills in general could
be- referred. II is understood that Judge Earl
formerly of the Court of Appeals. has lately
given close consideration to this question Of ex-
cessive. and especially of defective. legislation
and has put his conclusions. which may not i'm
probably be published hereafter, in written
form II this Is true. ii Is to be expected that
the communication will he found to contain
much that is worthy Of earnest attention.
In spite Of frequent suggestions of a facetou'
order to the contrary. ii is TO be presumed witt
respect 10 the great mass of bills. most Of which
give clear and precise expression to a useful anC
valid purpose but it cannot be denied that II
many cases there Is "A lamentable failure t'
carry out the intention. Various EFFORTS 70 rem
edy this evil have been made Provisions rol
example. were introduced into the new Consti
tuition which II was hoped would raise Inc
standard Of legislation not merely from me
moral but also from the technical point OF view
This was the design Of the requirement that
bill must lie in printed form upon the desks OF
members three days before 1t is put upon rs
final passage But confessedly this and Other
safeguards are far from being effectual. Pre-
sumably nothing but "A large development of In
telligence and conscientious care can meet al
obvious necessity, but such growth can b'
stimulated and encouraged among right-mindet
sz1islators by watchfulness and candor on thu