The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-11
AN EXTRA SESSION.

AN EXTRA SESSION.
The question Of calling an extra ses'
sion of the legislature to eliminate
some Of the Objectionable features I'M
the appropriation bill passed at the
recent session. is being favorabiy dis
cussed with a probability that the gov
ernor will see the necessity of calling
the session. Had the members fol-
lowed the advice given by the COVER
nor to seggregate the various appro-
priations. giving him an opportunity
Of vetoing CRAFTS. this trouble could
have been averted. So indignant have
the people become over the unwarrant-
ed extravaganza of the legislature that
they are circulating petition to in
woke the referendum and have the
question submitted to the people. 1t
is contended that the session would
not have to last ever two days, and the
Nost would be less than the expense Of
calling a special election which will
be necessary If the referendum is in
voked. The Telegram discussing the
question says:
~'while there was pronounced dis
inclination on the part of Governor
Chamberlain, when the matter was
first broached, to call an extra ses-
sion Of the Legislature for the purpose
of Strengthening out the appropriation
tangle, and while the governors view
Of the matter as it then appeared un-
doubtedly was sound, II now appears
that If the Legislators will give the gov
>ernor proper cooperation this much
yexed question may. after all, best be
settled by the calling Of an extra ses-
sion.
Governor Chamberlain's position
has been that as the legislature was
.nresuned to have performed its var
ious acts-the making of appropr!a-
tions included-with mature and prop
er deliberation, it should abide by
those acts, even though hornets nest
of criticism had been brought about
its ears. And the governor was right.
But the prospective resort to the re-
ferendum. with the resultant added ex-
pense to the state, delay in reaching
settlement Of the question, and annoy
ance and inconvenience to the legiti%
mate state institutions and their at
taches, is somewhat appalling. both to
the governor and the people, and if
there is a way whereby this delay and
inconvenience can be avoided and the
prospective expense to the state les
sened, that way should be taken. An
extra session of sufficient duration
merely to permit the correction Of
these appropriation blunders, the leg
islators to serve without pay or mile
age seems to offer such a way.
THE governor is anxious that tbs
extra session, il it is held, should b'
without cost to the state. In the
strictest sense this cannot well be tht
case. Assuming that, in patriotic ap'
probation Of the requirements Of tbs
situation. Legislators waive the mat
ter Of pay and mileage, there are othel
EXPENSES incident even to a two days
session Of the legislature that are un'
avoidable. The total Of these, now
eyer-should pay and mileage be ex
cluded-may be figured as less expen
sive to the state tnan would be resor
to the referendum and the resultan
increase in the cost Of state supple
for the next year or more.
TT is undeniably the desire Of III
people that certain extravagant ex
penditure. shall be headed off. To d
this with the least friction and ex
pense is simply plain matter Of busi
ness. so far as the interests Of the stat
are concerned.
at was the avowed intention q
many Of the members Of the legisla
ture when 1t convened to put the gov
ernor in a hole" This programme wa
carried out in altered FORM Instead
administering the punishment men
toned to the governor, the legislator
nut itself in a hole more than ade
quately wide and deep. The governo
holds the key to the trapdoor tha
covers it. He evinces some dispositio
to let the legislature out The legisla
ture should meet him half way by ex