The age-herald., 1901-09-20

immediate representatives insist on their passage. General legislation has been almost wholly neglected. Such measures when taken up, are enacted without time for due deliberation or con- sideration, resulting in much crude and nasty legislation. The speed necessary when such a vast number of bills are passed in a limited session, not infre Quently has prevented proper entries on the journals, and thus overthrown i'm portant general laws, as in the case of at least one general revenue bill. These things have made legislative service dis tasteful to many whom the people would have been glad to have called into their service. Local and private legislation has thus grown into an intolerable abuse, greatly detracting from the morals of the law-making department and to some ex- tent withdrawing confidence from 1t. The suppression of this evil, if nothing else had been accomplished, would justify the cost of the convention.
 Under the new constitution, this Evil Is plucked up by the roots for the power of the legislator over such matters has been absolutely annihilated. Instead. pro- vision has been made for generaJ laws applicable alike to all, whereby local and private interests may be secured and pro- tected, with such rights and privileges as are requisite. Individuals or localities interested in such matters, can obtain relief at home, without submitting them selves to the caprice of members of the Legislature, or incurlng loss of time and money, by coming to and reaining at the seat of government.
 The constant change or repeal of laws and the substitution of new laws in t'Alr place, after the people have adjusted their pursuits and business to the old law, Is always a drawback to confidence and contentment. The Legislature, having been freed from the necessity of dealing with innumerable local and private inter- ests, which deIaand more frequent ses- slons than general subjects a change has been made from biennial session to sese sions once every four years. This change was induced by the considerations that the laws having longer time to stand, would be better understood, and, there fore. better executed and men could pro- ceed with more confidence. The change will also result in the saving of the tax payers of fifty thousand dollars every four years, which Is the cost of the biennial sessions now omitted It Is con fidently believed experience will fully vindicate the policy of longer intervals than at present between the sittings of our law-makers. Certain it is, no harm can come to the state; since if the emer- gency arises, the Governor can call spe- cial sessions; while provision has been made for the Legislature to assemble of it's own motion If necessary, to exercise the power of impeachment
 Many new provisions have been made to prevent impositions upon members, or fraudulent practices in the passage of bills; to guard members against improper influences. and for laying before each regular session of the Legislature ,reve- nue bills with such provisions as the ex- perience of the executive department may suggest. for their action.
 No liability of any person, or corpora tion. owned by the state or any county or other municipality thereof. shall be re- leased. or in any way diminished by the Legislature, except upon fun payment thereof; nor shall such liability be chang ed or transferred. except upon the pay ment of It's face value; but the Legisa- ture may, by general law, provide for the compromise of doubtful claims After suit commenced, the Legislature Shall have no power to take away the cause of action, or destroy any existing defense to the suit The Legislature, Is forbidden to enact any law, not applicable to all coun- ties, regulating costs. fees. commissions or allowances. to public officers.
 Broad powers are specifically conferred for the "regulation, prohibition or req sonable restraint" of carriers. trusts monopolies and combinations of capital, "so as to prevent them from making scarce articles of necessity, trade, or commerce, or from increasing unreason- ably the cost thereof to the consumer, or preventing reasonable competition on any trade, calling or business.
 Executive Department.
 The practice of the people of late, al- most without exception. has been to give two terms to the executive officers, and to deny them third term The new in- strument, in lengthening the term to four years, and making them ineligible to suc- ceed themselves, merely adopts, in the organic law the policy the people them selves have established after long experi- ence as best for their interests.
 The office of Governor is one of great honor The Governor, more than any other one officer, embodies in his own person the dignity and power of the peo- pie and is the source of many good or evil impulses in the administration of the laws It has been the aim of the new constitution to dignify the office, and con secrate 1t entirely to the service of the people The Governor is shielded from the misconstruction and opposition often wrongly directed against him, when the powers of his office are thought to be swayed by a desire to obtain other of- fices, and he is saved from the tempta- ton to abuse his powers. by denying to him during his term, and for one year therea fer the right to election or ap-