The Savannah morning news., 1903-07-20
THE BIENNIAL SESSIONS BILL.

THE BIENNIAL SESSIONS BILL.
( What has become of the bill provid-
{ ing for biennial sessions of the Legis-
! lature? Has the committee to which il
= was referred reported it yet? If not
/ why? Unless we are mistaken there
is a strong and growing sentiment
throughout the state in favor of a ses-
sion Of the Legislature every two years,
and not oftener unless an emergency
should arise demanding legislative ac-
ton.
We have been calling attention to
this matter for several years, pointing
out the amount that would be saved
and showing that there is nothing to
be gained by the state by having an
nual sessions. We are sure that the
Legislature understands the subject
thoroughly. and therefore there is no
occasion for going into it in
detail. But it does seem that some
attention should be paid to the bill
that is pending providing for biennial
sessions. Let the people know why
biennial sessions would not be better
it is the intention to kill the bill. The
present session will cost, as we under
stand it. more than 100000. Even the
suggestion to shorten it to twenty-five
days and make the session next sum-
mer twenty-five days met with so lit
tie favor that it was not urged.
This state has no need for as much
legislation as it gets. There are so
many laws that the people forget them,
If, in fact. the majority ever hear of
them. A little well-considered legis-
lation is far better than a great mass
of laws. That seems to be the opinion
of a large majority of the states The
legislatures of pretty nearly all of
them now have biennial sessions, and,
as far as we hear, there is no dissatis-
I faction with the biennial system None
of the states, as far as we are in
formed, proposes to go back to the sys-
tenn of annual sessions.
Just why it is that this state sticks
TO annual sessions it is. difficult to I'M
derstand. 1t used to be said the poll
ttcians were responsible for annual
sessions since such session gave them
an opportunity of rounding up their
lieutenants in the different parts of the
state and giving them instructions, but
it can hardly be that they would put
the state to such a large expense for
purely personal and selfish purpose.
The Legislature should take up the BIZ
oil
sible who the opponents of 1t are, and
what the ground of their opposition is.
GIVEN ANINCH THEY TAKE AN ELL.
The education of the North with re-
spect to the race problem goes on
apace. The Council of Womens Clubs
of Kansas City has just received a les
son in colored race characteristics that
may prove of future value. While the
incident is purely local to Kansas City,
IL may be called typical except in
places where an understanding has
been tacitly reached.
The women's clubs of Kansas City
combined to provide the children of
the city a COOL pleasant summer play
shower baths, etc. In the goodness of
their benevolent hearts the ladies' re-
solved that it should be for the benefit
of all juvenile mankind, without re-
gard to race or color. At the same
time there was some objection to a
cOmmingling of races: therefore, an
imaginary line was drawn through the
colored children were requested to keep
on their own sides or the dividing line.
One side was just as good as another;
had as many conveniences and appa.
ratus and as much shade. The arrange
ment looked lovely, and it worked we'll
for about two days. Then there oc-
Cured change. The Kansas City
Journal tells about it; 1.-The negroes
gathered in great numbers. They took
possession of the teeters, the swings,
the shelter, the seats, the shower bath
and drove out all of the white chill
dren. The grown people found
comfortable places for their children
and unruly. The darkies. Young
and old, have taken possession of all
of the park" The generous women's
clubs have appealed to the police. but
it is doubted that relief can be had
from that source, and the Fairgrounds
may have to be shut up.
Had the ladies' of Kansas City been
warned that bi-colored play ground
would not work they would probably
have secuted the idea. Now they know
better.