The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-10

kcucfaiIy secure, lp lS vain ~ poine out to other members that such a bill is unwise. that it has the bitter opposi- tion of the people of the locality af- fected or that 1t tramples under foot every principle of local self govern ment. imposes burdens on the citizens and vests in individuals or corporations valuable franchises or privileges, which could not be obtained under general laws, you will be met with the response that while they sympathizs with your views and oppose the princi- pies on which the bill is based, that the courtesy and usage of the House or senate leave them no alternative but 10 support any measure which has the endorsement and sanction of the local member. You may appear before the committee to which the bill is referred, you may oppose its passage with arSu- ments which are unanswerable. you may present the testimony of leading citizens in the community to which the local law applies. and when you have finished the Committee will blandly ask the local member what his wishes are in the matter, and you will be told that however much the committee may appreciate your argument and feel convinced of the justice of your posi- tion, that they are compelled to heed and obey the views of the immediate representative of the people. The inev- liable result Is that the uniformity and harmony of the law Is destroyed. and the community that may be outraged and wronged by such legislation has no redress but to await in patience the next election and retire the member to the shades of private life. If any member. recognizing the danger and mischief which follows the observance of such courtesy or custom. refuses to give his approval, he will soon find himself without influence, unable to secure the passage of any local bill. however meritorious or unobjection- able. It follows. therefore, that local special or private legislation, em- bodies not the concurrent wisdom and approval of majority of the Legis- iature. but is simply the expression of the desire of the local representative. who, by this courtesy, Is made the sole and absolute arbiter of all legislation which may affect his particulr locality. Nor do such bills ever receive the same careful scrutiny and examination by the Executive or Legislature which Is given laws of a general character. It has been argued in opposition to this limitation of the power of the Legislat- ure to pass local laws that if they are deprived of this prolific source of legis. lation that they will give too much at- tention to general laws and upset too many statutes of a general nature or pass too many general laws. Such has not been the experience of States where local legislation has been pro- hibited. Subjects of general nature will provoke more debate. will be con- eidered with more care. will be exam ax.I with the result that only general laws of pressing character. and the neces- sity of which Is apparent, will be en- acted. The British Parliament which legislates for a nation whose empire is so extensive that 1t girdles the globe passes only a few hundred laws. The general laws passed by Congress are comparatively few in number and hence this fear is not warranted by the history and experience of legislat- i've bodies. Another result will be that 1t will elevate the tone and char acter of the Legislature. Men who are now unwilling to spend weeks se- curing the passage of some local law. the granting of some franchise to some corporation, will more readily consent to seek a seat in a body en- gagged in general legislation.
 Each member will feel that he is the representative of the people of Ala bama, engaged in legislating for the State and reforming its laws, and in- creasing the efficiency of the admins tration. The blighting spirit of local ism which has so long degraded the tone eff our Legislature will be over come. and our respect and confidence in the law making body of the State will be increased. If there be danger of reckless or extravagant appropria- tion of the public money this can easily be obviated by incorporating in our fundamental law provisions now found in nearly all the recent State Constitutions by which a majority of the members elected to the General Assembly are required to pass any bill carrying an appropriation of public money.
 Another one of the chief evils of To- cal legislation Is to be found in the con- stant intermeddling with the govern ment of our municipalities. Thought full students of our system of govern ment have declared that in the govern ment of our cities and towns Is to be found the weakest features of Ameri- can institutions. This Is largely due to the fact that the average citizen is too much engrossed in his private affairs to give much attention to the misgov- ernment. corruption or reckless ex- travagance that may exist in munici- pal government. It Is only when cor ruption becomes so unblushing or an aroused public sentiment is created by fragrant abuse of power, or danger of bankruptcy that the forces of reform are awakened and organized. All au- thorities on this subject, however, agree that the inefficiency of municipal gov ernment is chiefly due to the constant intermeddling and tampering with To- cal affairs by the legislature. The To- cal laws of the last session of our Gen. eral Assembly show that a majority of the local bills passed were in reference to municipal corporations.
 world speaking on this subject said One form of this special legislation is peculiarly attractive and pernlcious. It is the power of dealing by statute with the municipal constitutions and actual management of cities. Cities grow so fast that all undertakings connected with them are peculiarly tempting to spectators. City revenues are so large as to offer rich plunder to those who can seize the control of them. The vote which a city casts is so heavy as to throw great power into the hands of those who control 1t, and enable them to drive a good bargain with the wire pullers of legislative chamber. Hence the control exercised by the legislature over city government is a most import ant branch of legislative business, a means of power to scheming politicians of enrichment to greedy ones, and if @A