The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-02
Not in Their PIatforms.


The reports from New York indicate
that there is strong and growing senti-
ment in that state in favor of biennial
sessions of the Legislature. The chances
for the passage of the bill, pending in the
Legislature. providing for biennial ses-
sions, are regarded as excellent The bill
is a Republican measure, but it has the
support of a great many leading Demo-
Gratis. Mr. Croker regards it with favor
and Senator Hin, It is understood, thinks
it ought to be passed With both Demo-
cratic and Republican support there ought
20 be no doubt about its passage.
The candidates for the Democratic nom
ination for Governor in this state, while
insisting. in their respective platforms
that the tax rate is too high, and declar-
ing they are in favor of reducing the rate,
have nothing whatever 10 say about cut
ting down the expenses of the Legislature
by having only one session of the Legis-
lature every two years They must know
that great deal of money could be saved
TO the people by means of biennial ses-
sons, and yet not one of them has the
courage to take a bold stand against an
nual sessions. What is the reason? Are
they afraid of the little politicians who
hang around the court houses and run
political meetings? Col Gambler says the
tax rate is too high and so does Judge At
kinson. Neither of them, however, pro-
poses that the appropriations for pensions
and schools shall be reduced. Col. Gambler
doesn't say how he proposes that the tax
rate shall be lowered and Judge Atkinson
proposes that it shall be lowered by as
sessing property which now escapes taxa
ton. 1t is evident that neither of them
has any definite plan for lessening the bur-
den of taxation.
II IS true that when the law providing
for biennial sessions was in force the Leg
stature held extra sessions and the ex
pense was just about as much as it is
under the annual sessions plan, but extra
sessions should not be permitted under the
biennial sessions plan except when there
is absolute necessity for them.
About the only way 10 cut down the lex
penses Of legislation is to pass a law Civ
ing a legislator a lump sum for the two
gets 81 a day and travelling expenses. Let
him be paid $40 and travelling expenses
for his term. If there were such a law
there would be only one session of thirty
days or less every two years.
1t is claimed by the politicians that nee
essary legislation cannot be attended to
properly in a session of thirty days every
two years. In that time all the laws the
people need could be passed. There would
not, of course, be time for much speech
making or for considering bills which had
been defeated in previous Legislatures, or
which have no real merit, but there would
be plenty of time for doing what the best
interests of the people require should be
done Now there is too much legislation
not only in this state but also in every
other The public interests are injured
by it.
If Col. Gambler, Judge Atkinson and Mr..
Berner were to try to create public senti-
ment in favor of biennial sessions during
their campaigns for the Gubernatorial
nomination they would do more towards
lowering the rate of taxation than by dis
cussing their respective platforms.