The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-08
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.

The Legislature which assemblies to-day
meets under most favorable conditions.
There are no disturbing questions to arouse
partisan bitterness. In fact; the only polit-
ical matter which will come before the
Legislature is the election of a United
States senator. unless the apportionment of
the State into legislative districts should
take political turn. ALI the leading ques-
tons before the Legislature will be such as
affect the interests Of all the people. In
the efficient management Of all the States
institutions the people belonging to one
party are as much interested as those be-
longing to the other. They are simply mat
tiers Of state concern; consequently those
belonging to both parties should be inspired
by a purpose to see that the wisest action
is taken. When the roll call shows that
both parties vote for sound measures, no
one party can claim the credit. but when
the minority party votes solidly against
measure that has met popular appreciation
the majority has gained and the minority
lost.
There is petty partisanship In many leg
islative bodies which devotes itself to put
ting the other party ''in a hole" 1t is a
practice BETTING very little men, yet 1t
seems at times to control city councils and
even branches of the Legislature. The man
who fights what he confesses to be a fair
proposition simply because the other side
made it, or may gain something by its en-
actment. forgets his oath of office.
A number OF important topics will come
before the Legislature in which there is no
shade Of partisanship. and. therefore,
should be discussed upon the broad plane
of the public interest All questions relat-
ing to the public institutions are of that
nature. The disposition of the labor in the
State Prison Is Of that character. Bills re-
lating to primary elections, voting ma
chimes and the public safety and morals
are matters which concern all the people
alike.
The indications point to the asking of the
Legislature for money for many objects
which deserve careful consideration. Ex-
cellent men become the victims of one idea,
and they would have the State adopt their
ideas and their fads. Legislators should
have the good judgment to discriminate. A
number of measures which are radical de-
partures from the Travelled way in Indiana
are announced. Is not the lettering Of
what have wiser than untried and
strange experiments? Indiana would seem
to have enough institutions and boards
without creating others. If further accom-
modations are needed. let them be supplied
without increasing the public expenditures
for new institutions.
If the Legislature shall take up it's work
promptly there will be sufficient time to
complete it. Both presiding officers are
men of experience, and, If heartily sus-
| tanned, will not allow business to lag. 1t Is
| not well to defer important bills to await
| the convenience of members who are abb
sent or of citizens who ask committees to
| await a convenient season for them. No
| half-dozen members or citizens, no matter
how influential, should be permitted to de-
lay public business. Those elected to the
Legislature gave constituents to under
| stand that they would attend to their
| duties. If few do not, the large majority
should not wait upon them. 1t is this sort
of postponement that crowds the compile
ton of legislation into the last days of the
session, when mistakes are made and
| doubtful measures rushed through.