The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-07-03
THE STATE 1EG1s1A1URE.

 many sided man, warned those within reach of his voice not to develop the critical faculty to the exclusion of the creative. Though this counsel was given rather to men about to make lit- erature their life's work, 1t can with out stretching the philosophy of It too far be applied to speaking as well as writing, It is comparatively easy to criticise; it is quite difficult to create and inspire.
 We recall Mir. Smiths counsel now in view of sermon preached last Sunday to the people of his congrega- tlon by the Rev Arthur Goodenough of Bristol upon the shortcomings of the present legislature. We can say at once that Dr. Goodenough has upon more than one occasion raised his voice in intelligent protest, and upon more than one occasion raised 1t in needed counsel. It is on that account that we regret that he should have studied the general legislative situa- ton in a less careful manner than Is characteristic of him. It Is one thing to regret as we all must that the General Assembly of 1907 has been negligent of legislation which was suggested for the general good, and that legislation has found an easy passage through that body which has related to special interests. but even this can be accounted for on other grounds than the domination Of a cor rupt lobby. Because legislation con- ceived honestly for the better adminis- tration of the liquor business has been defeated it does not follow necessarily that 1t has all been done "in the inter- est of the few who would desecrate the Sabbath for dollars and not In the interest of public morals, happy homes and full churches. Dr. Good enough may blush at the inetTiciency of the 'so-called party leaders, but may we suggest that 1t won't do to blush for them and not blush for the rank and file of the legislature? If there is going to be any bushing under the circumstances the blood should not rise to the cheek until 1t has been un- derstood what the actual trouble is with the General Assembly.
 An experienced observer of legisla-
 tive matters and one who has kept an eye upon this one sums up the difflcul-
 ty In these words: The trouble ia
 that the members have lost confidence
 in their leaders and the leaders have
 lost confidence in themselves" We should call that situation rather than
 the trouble. The trouble Is of a char
 acter which runs back to the
 days of nominating conventions
 Taking the members one by
 one, the conclusion is unacceptable
 that though earnest in their desire tc
 serve the State, they carried with then
 to the halls of legislation an inexperi,
 ence which the more skilful organizer.
 were quick to take advantage of. This
 in It's way broke the spirit of uprigh
 men and unftted them to jump into
 the breach. It would be a good thins
 for the State of Connecticut If it could
 always be assured that it's senate would
 be composed of such strong men al
 were sent there last fall by their con.
 stituents in several instances, but nc
 senate of the State of Connecticut coult
 ever outlive, no matter how ably per sonif1ed, the demoralizng methods uset in the case of this one to organize 1t | The fatal blow was struck at the leg ! slative power to do things when | became known that the senate did no organize itself, but was organized bl party manipulators who played off in experience against inexperience. W, } have always doubted If the special in terests were responsible for this stupid act for they would have realized tn consequence of it and run away iron 5 it. If their legislative agents did tn job for them they must to-day be sor , ry that they did not more directly in : terest themselves in a scheme to hav - the senate organize itself. This Is, how 3 ever, our opinion and in no way af . fects the widespread opinion that tn exact opposite is true If we were look ing for confession bearing out ou l view we should accept as such the ac s of the senate in providing that here r after, so far as one senate can set u : rules for the guidance of another tha 3 body shall be organized by the presi } dent pro tenn.
 t It has been the fate of the genera r assembly of 1907 to blunder from tn l start and at period when it wa = generally accepted that body of un usual merit had been selected fror 2 among the towns and senatorial dis