New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
AGAINST BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
AN OBSERVER GIVES REASONS WHY GOV
ERNOR BLACKS BILL IS UNWISE.

ERNOR BLACKS BILL IS UNWISE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir The Biennial Amendment Is. TO my mind
solely an election device OF Blacks and also
little taking Father Time by the forelock by
Thomas c. Plat. Mr.. Black is a hot candidate
for denomination He is catching at every straw
of possible popularity, and thinks the Mugwump
newspapers. which are always doctrnare on the
subject OF Legislatures. may be placated toward
himself by his proposal to abolish the Legisla-
ture for at least one year out Of two.
Mr.. Plat sees that with Senators having terms
Of at least -four years those elected in 1900
would vote for his successor In 1903; and he
inagines that in the excitement Of the Presi-
Dental contest of 1900 the election Of State
Senators will not be regarded and he can pack
the Senate with men in his interest. A four
years term for State Senators is entirely too
long. Suppose you have Senate filed with
bad men-a Tweed Senate. Or suppose you
have q Senate like the present one. filed with
men completely in the control Of political
"boss'-Platt. There you have an obstacle in
your path for four ong years.
Why also, should there be State Senate
lasting four years and a state Administration
lasting only two years? The Constitutional Con-
vention, which WAS filled with far ADLER men
than the present Legislature. after due delbera-
ton reduced the Governors term from three
years TO two years Why? Because they be-
lleved it was wise to have the people review the
character Of their, State Administration every
two years.
The judgment Of the ablest men (or, at least
some Of the abest mem in the Legislature Is
against the proposition 10 hold sessions only
once in two years--but Mr. Black is threatening
to veto their bills If they dare TO vote against
1t. The Legislature. they point out now Is not
simply law-passing body: it is also taxation
body and grand auditing board. The state
expenditures are the largest In the Union' ldsl
year they amounted to S26OOOOOO The mat
tiers most carefully considered and needing most
careful attention are the appropriations FOR the
maintenance of the various branches OF the
State Government there are about one hundred
State departments now. the scores OF state
institutions, the National Guard.
Just at present the State has Initiated a poilcy
of improving its canals. Already S9OoOOo mas
been spent That policy. before the canal I'M
provement is ended, may compel the approprla-
ton Of $50 100000. for II may involve the cree
ton Of State elevators and State wharVes at
New-York and Buffalo, and other haroor facili-
ties This is a big State and consequently dig
matters are constantly coming before its Legs
lature. Moreover. they are immediate matters ;
they cannot be postponed. Take the most creoit-
able act OF Governor Black-his purchase OF
81 900 900 worth Of Adirondack forest lands
made the step absolutely necessary at once II
Il TO he taken ,,,,
know It is said that Pennsylvania and I'LL
nois are large States, and yet they get along
with only one session in two years. But thelr
sessions make up in length what they lose IN
freouencv 1t was stated and not disputed on
the floor OF the Senate that the last Legislature
OF PENNSYLVANIA was In session from January
10 September And | need not tell you that the
press of Pennsylvania rang with It's corruption.
a friend Of mine in Pennsylvania tells me that
the infreduency of the election or the Leglsla-
ture has had the effect Of lowering the grade
of it's members. People do not feel compelled
to watch them from year to year as In TINS
state And as for Illinois. do you not remember
that the last Legislature only kept from
electng a wholly unfit man as United states
Senator by the most strenuous eXeruons!
The eminent members OF the Consulutlonai
Convention gave most careful attention to THIS
| biennial sessions idea and came To the concu-
sion that with the conservative division or SEN
ate and Assembly seats made by them whlch
for twenty years gives large representation 70
the rural voter. the Legislature might safely:
and ought to- have yearly sessions, in view or
the 500 100000 of expenditures annually MADE
by New-York State.
What with the rapid growth Of the State and
innnrovement work. ten years from now this
hionnial sessions idea will be thought one OF the
most absurd and unwise ever suggested TO the
Legislature ~ ObSEN'En~
New-York March !. 1898.