The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-31

tho country simultaneous consideration
of tho questions before the House, a
thorough, practical ventilation OF tho
subjects and a general study Of the pro-
posed remedies. Vague dffused public
opinion. through the influence OF the
House or Governors, would be crystalizcd
into public sentiment and this sentiment,
tho peoples voice, could compel legls-
lation.
The general opinion OF the people OF
this country to day Is #unquestlonablys
against capital Dunishment-a sad relic
Of primitive barbarism still persisting
| with war In thisEvaunted twentieth
century civilization there is no
4 method to- day by which this unex-
| pressed public opinion can be vitalized,
Transmitted into public sentiment mani
i Testing itself in uniform state laws,
| yet the House or Governors might
| accomplish it at a single session.
| The lack Of uniformity in State leg
islatlon to-day is so clearly recognized
as an evil in our political system that
| further details In this article seem
| unnecessary. Any plan that even faint
~ forcshadows the possibility OF
bringing order out OF this chaos of
completely and contradiction would
seem worthy of really serious consid-
4 era ton.
The House OF Governors seems to
offer no.rhancc for graft, collision,
i combination, pairing off, the working
of private. interests, bribery, jqbbcry,
corruption or any of tho other dis
| eases to which legislative bodies are
liable. This immunity arises from the
1 non -lawmaking character Of the
4. house. It Is said to be easier to buy
State Legislatures than to purchase
A Federal action or Federal Inactivity.
The House would thus have the dig
i nifty, character and poisc OF the Fed
I pf' n
would be subject to no pressure, they
would not be likely to be carried off
their feet by tho whirlwnd eloaucncc
I OF one or their members advocating
some Utopian scheme or some trust
measure nasaucrading as plan OF
porarily captivuted they would prob
abIy5copl on reflection, and there Is
! no chance OF the goldbrlck fallacy
t / proposed being ab!eto stand the acid
: test OF wide public discussion BY press
c and people and to pass the safeguard
G ing process of forty-ive legislators.
. II seems advisable that the meetings
{ OF the House of Governors should b'
q annual though tho sessions of STATE
n legislators are annual in only SIX Of tn
o. States while uundrennial in one an'
d biennial III thirty-eight. In 1907 onl.
4 six States have legislative sessions. bu
It In 1908 torty-one States--or all but Ala
q Danh, oregon, Virginia ana Wyoming
hold sessions. Were the House Of Gov
i, ernors to meet during the present yea
sf a splendid test OF the value OF thei
i session could be made in January, 1905
l. gll tile forty one State Legislatures thel
j. meeting, except Florida (ApriD, Loulsi
IS ana tMpy), Georgia (June) and Vernon
n lOctobcr). e,9
Al 1t may be objected that the Govern
II ors could not spare time away froi
IT their official duties to attend session
lie of tie house but as their bodily pres
y ence at home Ii not necessary. cxcer
l. when Tho Legislature meets. this objct
II lion is more theoretical than real, an
g tile State could for term of two o
three weeks be left TO the Lieutenant
lie Governor or TO the Secretary of state u
= Acting Governor.
N The place Of meeting of the House
" Governors should not he In Washington
n. y. G. Except possibly lis first session
al but snceesiYely In state capitals selecte
Ut Wy vote Of The House or by the decsio