The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-01


the Strobe Bill last winter 1t must then take
its place on the Calendar, and pass in one house
and then go through the same procedure I'D the
other house. The result is that any measure OF
Importance concerning which there is much az
ference Of opinion Is in jeopardy from lne De-
ginning because Of the shortness of time. l he OPP
position can demand extended hearings, can Sc
cure postponements, and recommias OF the oiii'
and so delay it that it is impossible ever 10 get
vote on the merits Of the bill. Tins IS true OF
all measures which great corporations Ike the
Railroads Insurance Companies, Liquor Dealers
Associations, etc, oppose. Determined, 'h'elii-
gent, wealthy opposition, especially II IL Is 'o'
conscientious as to methods employed can greatly
imperil and frequently defeat any bill no mat
ter how meritorious in the short term OF Sixty
days. The Whiskey Trust prevented vote on
the Strobe bill in the House of Delegates last
winter because of the short session and the con-
gested condition of the Calendar.
1t is furthermore argued that sufficient time Is
not given for the careful consideration OF the
bills which are passed, and many laws are faulty
and fail of the purpose for lack OF time to study
and perfect them. Many members of the Gen
eral Assembly have had no experience, and they
can not work efficiently until they get accustomed
to the procedure.
It is declared by the advocates of the Amend
ment that the of extending the session will not
be more than $50 900, or $25, 900 per year, which
would be one-fourth Of cent per annum for each
citizen of the State Is not the business of
great State like Virginia of sufficient Importance
and magnitude to require consideration of the
General Assembly for three months Z The State
is not standing still but Progress is the watchword
Of the day. The General Assembly must con
slider the material, social intellectual and moral
welfare and development of the people. 1t is
argued that this can not he done with the de-
Liberation and care that the questions involved
demand in sixty days. Certainly the past dis
position OF many important measures does not
inspire confidence III those who doubt the intal-
libiltv of the members of the General Assembly.
Those who oppose the frightening Of the term
argue that To extend the session to ninety days
would not improve the situation. They claim
that there would be delay aud waste of time aud
that there would be the rush and confusion
at the close, and many mistakes would be
made. Bad bills would &c through and good
bills would fail as at present and no Improvement
would result. Therefore they urge that ii would
cause the waste Of $4,000 OF the money Of the
State, with no adequate returns. They insist
that all the necessary work of the Legislature can
he done in sixty days. and the State can gel along
better without the additional legislation than it
can with $50. 900 added 10 its expenses.
The second argument is that there is great dit
hcutv in getting suitable men to run for the
Legislature, owing to the fact that men who are
capable and worthy are not willing TO leave home
and business for ninety days. whereas they would
leave for sixty days. This if true is weishty
reason. for the service of capable and worthy men
for sixty days Is worth far more than the service
Of incapable men for any number of days. But
this statement has not been proven to be true
Were the men who composed the General Assem-
bly, during the years before the Constitutional
Convention less capable than the men to-day
The session ninety days then. Is it not pos
sible that the ninety DAYS session will give
man some opportunity to be at home day or so
at stated intervals. when the sixtv-dav session
would prevent. Is it not likely that if a good,
capable be persuaded to sacrifice his
business and social interests for sixty DAYS for
the good of the State that his patriotism would
extend over ninety days.
These are the general reasons for and against
the first amendment. The Firginian is inclined
to believe that it will be better for the material,
social. intellectual and moral progress of the
State to extend the term. But it does not feel in
clined to press this opinion upon its readers.
They consider the arguments and decide for
themselves.
The other amendments will be considered in
order
\ fireworks manufacturer in search of adver-
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