The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-03-10
THE LEGISLATURE.
Law School Journal.)

The Legislature Of Oregon has ad.
journed and the people once more
breathe freely. The Legislature i'm.
pressed most every one with the fear
that something terrible would be done
before 1t adjourned. During its ses.
sion Il has a feeling Of apprehension
that something fearful is to take
place. The thought of II hangs like
a funeral pail over one all the time
and destroys the good feeling that
one entertains for humanity, while It
Is not in session. AS a rule the
brains are conferred in the Third
House, the members of the Legisla-
ture being selected in most instances
for the sole and only purpose as TO
whom they will vote for United
States Senator. Every other idea is
lost sight Of and ~relegated to the back
ground. Their qualifications to dis
charge the duties of lawmakers being
a secondary consideration. This is a
sad commentary on our institutions,
Persons are selected for members
who are utterly unfit to perform the
duties to which they are called upon
to discharge. There is about one
member in ten who understands his
duties fairly we'll. The thought of
of selecting men who are properly
qualified to make laws for the benefit
Of the people is not given serious
consideration. No matter how we'll
qualified a man may be Of the mi
nority party, an lgnoramus of the
dominant party will be elected owe
him. This failing is not confined to
either one Of the parties of the State.
The absurdity of electing men to
make laws who know nothing about
them, is apparent to every one, but
so long as the present manner of
! clecting United States Senators con
tinue. We cannot hope for any change
in this respect. Where men do not
understand their duties as members
] " AlA' l'hINlANAA 70 q lew AAANh VI
and knowledge Of affairs control the
large majority who are not mp in the
work required of them. The leveling
idea has permeated Il people that
any man is qualified TO become a
maker of laws. We regret to say
that certain lawyers have been
guilty of demagogic conduct in this
matter which has resulted in great
loss to the people. The Demagogue
Of the legal profession should be sem
fenced TO receive the fun limit Of
lashes which was formerly admins
tered to persons who had committed
certain o%ffenses, and they should be
laid on that part of the anatomy
which is most sensitive to that kind
of punishment.
The last session Of the legislature
contained several very able men,
but they were greatly In the minority.
We are free to say that the members
from Marion County, in our opinion,
were more than average members,
They did what they could to enact
good laws. Among the members OF
the Marion County delegation noted
by us for good, honest work, was
Hon. J. ID. Simmons, OF Monitor Pre-
cinct. While not a great talker. he
was constant in his attendance,
looked carefully after matters affect.
ing legislation and was ever solicit.
Gus for the passage of laws hat were
In the interests of his constituents.
Although the Marion County Bar
Association had spent some time in
considering and preparing laws that
were in the interest Of all our people,
only two OF those recommended by
the Association were passed. This
indicates how little thought is given
by the members of the legislature
concerning good laws that are pre-
pared with much ARE by persons
who know what constitutes laws that
are for the welfare of the public.
The legislature Is a good deal Of a
farce. IL consists OF forty days and
nights OF revelry and high iinks. The
money Of the people is spent with a
%prodigality that Is wonderful 10 con-
template. The members travel on
free passes and compel the State to
pay their mileage which is under
stood to cover their travelling ex-
penses. Everything is conducted on
broad gauge principles. Everything
In sight is taken when the legislature
adjourns. II II were not that the
dome is securely fastened on the top
Of the Capitol Building 1t would be
carried OF by piecemeal. Most OF
those who go 10 the legislature as
members. seem 20 regard It as a Jolly
vacation in a sunny CLINE where milk
and honey are In abundance. Those
who are called upOn 20 cOnEtrue many