Evening journal., 1909-03-22
Monday, March p, 1909
WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

TVNLESS there is some lively work during the
- closing week Of the General Assembly the
session will close with not much accomplished in
what may be termed progressive legislation. The
Legislature is one of divided responsibility The
Democrats control the House and the Repub-
cans the Senate. On practically all questions,
excepting a few of a political nature, the mem
bcrs have not divided on party lines. Practically
every subject has been considered by the mem
bers as individuals and it is fair to presume that
they have honestly represented their own
convictions and those OF their constituents.
This, VIC think, is as it should be.
Some good things have developed. One is the
disposition to regard affairs that pertain to VIII
mington local matters in which the residents
OF the city should have a voice If the proposed
paving bill is passed in any shape, the voters Of
the city viii be allowed to express their opinions
by referendum vote on the question. This is
recognizing the principle of home rule, principle
that should be extended OF what concern is
this local matter Of a method Of street paving 10
members of the Legislature other than those rep
rcsentng Wilmington? We have no doubt that
the members from the rural districts would be
pleased If they were relieved from legislating on
matters OF a purely local nature. And also. the
question of whether a town in lower county
should be permitted TO issue bonds for improve
nent purposes is not question to concern the
members. OF the Legislature from Wilmington.
We should consider these matters, as of
local nature, and we believe that this idea will
be more commonly recognized in the future.
The members of the General Assembly have
displayed adisposition TO guard the finances OF the
State They realize that the State finances are in
somewhat uncertain condition. There
many things that we would all like done, but
the question is, Can the State afford them? The
Legislators are forced to make the best use Of
the money at the disposal of the State. We
not 90 by leaps and bounds in these matters and
vet on the other hand, the State should not be
sim ,r find ouf bOt
The new revenue bills are going to work. the
State will be in position to do more than has
been done.
The question OF good roads has been upper
most and has caused serious consideration. AT
the end of the Legislative session something
substantial, we trust, will have been done for
good roads in all the counties In connection
with this it may be remarked that the lower
counties should revise their methods of road
management-get county engineers All states
are making progress towards good roads.
Some political measure have been brought
before the Legislature. direct primary
bill was presented but defeated, because the
members felt they were not sufficiently informed
about the matter They did not want 10 enter
upon so radical a change without very serious
thought. This is a matter that is engaging wide
attention throughout the country. The agitation
is not confined to the West by any means Gov
Nrnor Hughes, of New York, is in the fight of his
&fe over the direct primary plan in that
ntate, and Governor Fort, of New, Ter
eey, has threatened to call the New Ter
sey legislature in extra session in an effort
to force it to adopt the direct primary law Per-
haps two years hence we shall be in position
in Delaware to consider this matter more fully.
As regards our transportation facilities and the
regulation OF public utilities nothing has been
done and nothing is likely to be done. This
question has been indirectly before the Legisla-
ture in the form of plan for State aid in the
construction OF trolley system, rather imprac-
teal scheme. Yet the State with Board of Pub
lie Utilities could do something towards accom-
plishng the end aimed at by the suggested
building of a new trolley line All sorts of COM
missions have been proposed, such the use
less Humanitarian Board" but this really i'm
portant Utilities Commission has received little
consideration
Something should be done towards amending
the Child Labor law to make it more stringent
more effective. All states are giving much atten-
ton to this matter 1t is practical and an eth
ical question. We should have Child Labor
law enforced in business-lik.I manner The
State owes that to her children
A lobbyists bill was before fhe Legislature
but it failed to be passed Thy most persistent
complaints against lobbyists ave come from
members OF the Legislature kemselves This
question probably concerns he members their
convenience and comfort m e than it does the
public However, the public las no lobbyists.
The employers liability 4 is similar TO th,
law Of the Federal GoNernm Twenty state.
Il 1tior have such iaSys as3 Gland. Al