Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-30
special Session Uncertainties.

Special Session Uncertainties.
When a regular biennial session Of the
Legislature Is about to convene, the
people know what to expect They look
forward 70 a session Of at least sixty days
not much longer, as the Constitution
allows the members compensation for
this period only, at q rate Of s5 per day
during which they pray that their legis-
latoru may do them as much good and
a. little harm as possible And when tho
session ends they feel thankful that the
lawmakers did not do them as much harm
as they might have done.
But Il Is different with special sessions,
and fortunately theyare raro in this State.
One will be convened IN Dover tomorrow,
and no man may predict what Il will not
do. As to its duration, Il may be ex-
lpected to wind up within thirty days of
actual sitting, as the Constitution allows
( pay only for this time when special ses-
sions are held although IL may stay
longer If the majority chooses. But what
mischief may be done during these thirty
days Is beyond tho power Of computation.
Il Is true that in his call for the special
session the governor act forth two sub
iects Of legislation-reierring 10 taxation
lin addition TO tho balloting for United
States senator, but tho Legislature Is not
IL. .....N..I A. AN... A. -
iccts. Indeed, Il may Ignore them
altogether. The Constitution is silent
upon this point, and the natural presump-
ton Is that the Legislature may do as Il
pleases, and stay in session as long as il
plcasos, being limited only In that the
daily compensation will cease after the
expiration Of the thirty days.
lt IS not surprising, therefore, 10 note
signs Of activity among the various special
interests that arc always alert when the
Legislature is about TO convene Every
man with a private measure will bo on
hand to present it and urge It's passage
Every combination Of selfish politicians
having for It's object legislation that will
be profitable % those concerned, either
financially, or by tho strengthening Of
their political power will be attracted 10
Dover by the special session as flies arc
attracted by a molasses barrol The
subject Of a new city charter Is particu-
larly attractive 20 those political COM
binations, and should the charter COM
mittee Of the Board Of Trade, which has
the new charter proioct undcr considera-
tion, decide % submit its work 70 the
special session, and ask for rs enactment
into law, tho political combinations vii
see that the bin Is nodded to suit theii
purposes, or not passed at all.
The senatorial situation. the solution
Of which is the real and only purpose o
the special session, is as uncertain today
rs over Tho Republican factions ar,
divided as to tho method of procedure
The Regular Republicans dosiro pre-
vious understanding. or agreement
rather, that Col Henry A. du pont shal
be elected The Union Republicans an
disposed TO insist upon a caucus selection
with a pledge from an who participate
therein TO support the successful nominee
AS this plan might open the way to th
election OF Addicks. the Regulars AN
naturally chary about consenting to IL.
With respect TO special elections {,
fill the four existing vacancies. tharo Is nj
telling what win be done. The govemo
has issued writs for them. and the date
viii be set by the shoras of Kent am
Sussex counties, whore the vacancic
exist. Il may be that the Legislator
will adjourn before the time set for tn
elections, in which event they may no
be held, and the expense thereof avoided
Uncertainty also prevails as 10 whe
Senatorial balloting shall begin. AZ
regular session it must begin on the seoon
Tuesday after organization. but the clair
is advanced that as the Legislature wa
duly organized at the regular session
balloting for Senator, which was ker
up to the end Of that session. must b
rosumcd on the FIRST day Of the speci,
session. Lawyers are now wrostlin
with this problem, and may have a solt
tion 10 offer tomorrow.
So it viii be seen that the special sessio
Of the Legislature viii be a very uncertai
affair, as well as an expensive one An
worse, than all, It Is absolutely unnece.
sary and therefore an imposition upo
the taxpayers.