Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-17
THE LEGISLATURE.

The usual arrows OF CtI'iriS" az -
Ing spod at the members Of the Ieglsia-
ture Of Virginia. 1t is said they are vast
ing too much time and that they VIII ad-
iourn for the Christmas recess without
having done anything Of consequence to
earn their 81 day, etc, etc.
There are many men in this state VINO
cannot earn anything like 81 day, ana
some Of these think our legislators are
overpaid But they ought TO recoilect
that no member secures his election with
out loss of time or money-sometimes
both. When that fact Is taken into con-
sideration. and when we count up the
loss of time from ones regular occupa-
ton and his expenses in Richmond, II
will be found that the average member
is not profted one cent by his legislative
service But for the honor and glory Oh
the position, but for the satisfaction OF
finding ones self figuring in the news
papers as a law-maker, few men would
be tempted TO seek election. The pay
n member receives is the smallest Of the
few inducements he has TO take upon
himself the vexations and labors OF
legislator.
Now as to the waste Of time: Whether
the LEGISLATURE begins I'm hurry ana
closes leisurely. or begins leisurcly and
closes hurriedly, the pay Is the same.
The salary is fixed by law, and 1t Is $'oV
per annum for each member We could
wish that the legislative work were done
more methodically. but one great OBJ
stacle to that reform is that at each
session there is so great an infusion
of "new blood" it takes members some
time TO get acquainted with one another.
And then there is good deal of prelim-
mary workmanship, organization, cleo
ton of various officers etc.-that must be
done before members can sit down to
work in real earnest. by that time
Christmas is at hand.
But why not change the date of the
meeting of the General Assembly, so as
TO have it after the holidays are over?
Well. in answer to that question, We
must say that that experiment was tried
once, but It did not give the satisfaction
here in Virginia which It seems TO have
given in some other States. And, as
matter of fact. it is a useful custom TO
launch legislative schemes before Christ
mas and then let members 30 home and
consult their constituents as TO them.
The week or ten days which members
spend at home furnish an excellent op-
portunity for them to learn public opinion
with respect to pending measures.
And since our government is a govern
ment by the people every member should
wish to have the advice OF intelligent
constituents. OF this thing we are sure
that time and again members have profit
ed greatly 10y going home at Christ
mas and consulting theY people ms
contact of representatives. with con-
stltuents is a thing rather TO be en-
couraged than discouraged. But after
members return TO Richmond, we would
have them set to work with all diligence
Their attendance upon committee meet
ines is even more important than their
| attendance upon the sessions of the two
houses. 1t is easier 20 promote the
nrospects of a good bill, or 10 Kill bad
one in its incipency, in committee, than
after il has reached the House or Senate.
As a rule. not much time is wasted in
public debate. The Senate is nowadays
! the great forum, and its chamber often
may be found filed with delegates listen
ing to the speakers.
1t cannot be denied, however, that the
greatest trouble about Virginia legisla-
ton arises from the bad habit of defer
ring action on so many important bills
tin the last ten days of the session. Then
the rush and excitement begin Then
sly fellows have chance TO set obnoxious
schemes through Then the two
houses scarcely know what they pass. or
the Governor what he signs.
The theory is. that the Executive shall
have time to consider each bin or reso-
luton presented TO him. But in practice,
he is not given time to read them even.
Therefore he must depend largely upon
| statements made to him by the patrons
of the bills. That sort Of thing ought to
cease our Executive should be given
sufficient leisure 10 think over the changes
proposed by new legislation.
In some states the governors have from
ten to thirty days after the Legislature
has adjourned during which they may
determine whether they will approve or
disapproye the bills and resolutions sent
them. When We go TO Constitution
making again, it would be well If we took
into consideration the propriety OF amend
ing our Constitution in that respect.
And so we conclude that Virginia legis-
latois are not overpaid; that the time
lost at Christmas is not necessarily
thrown away, and yet there is a cry
ing need for such advancement of bust
ness as will give the Executive more time
20 study the measures submitted to him
for his approval
The street Committee honored Itself In
honorlng it's chairman. Major Otway ;.
Allen. with a Christmas token expressive
Of its respect and good Will lie IS a val
liable member Of the City Council. lie