The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-03-11

the discussion as TO biennial sessions.
1t has been often pointed out that this
state Is one of but very few in the
union having annual sessions. 1t has
been further said that there is not
enough legislation of Importance to
justify yearly sessions. 1t is realiz-
ed by all that something is radically
wrong with our law making body, but
whether or not biennial sessions
would prove remedy Is certainly op-
en- to discussion The fact that every
session of the legislature during the
past few years has extended over the
allotted time would seem to indicate
that there is a great deal Of business
of some kind to be transacted 1t is
quite true that the legislative wheels
do not turn as fast as they might.
though our lawmakers work harder
than they are given credit for, but it
is doubtful whether they would turn
faster in a biennial session than in an
annual one. Some measures need to be
taken to facilitate business in annual
sessions and then after these mea-
sures are proven effective the time
would be ripe for the agitation for
biennial sessions. Remove the cause
for delay and then the session will be
shortened of itself.
1t seems to us that the cause for
the failure OF the state legislatures to
accomplish much has already been
rightly pointed out by the correspond
cnts Of our daily papers. They have
said time and again during the session
just finished that tie failure Of ac-
compliShmcnt was not a matter OF not
having anything to do. but OF not do
ing what was to be done The rea
son suggested for this was that many
Of the legislators were facing elections
and hestated to make move one way
or the other for fear Of being left at
preceding this one that is, the SeS-
sion Of 1918, it was also said that a
large number Of the members were
new men. as is usual on each changc
worked in" before becoming nccus-
toned to legislative routine; and be-
fore they had learned the way Of
the place" the session was ended and
they had to go home. And SO it goes;
one session a great many new men
followed by another session in which
fear Of approaching elections force
the political issue into every discus
sion. SO in neither session is any
thing accomplished.
Removal at the same time Of the
handicaps Of new membership and po-
li;ical anxiety. would seem to be a So
luton OF the question. This might be
accomplished through a change pro-
yiling for a longer membership in the
lower house. say four years instead
OF two, like the senate This would
allow for one year Of preparation and
training, two years for real work and
one year previous to election for poll
tics. This would make for fifty per cent
efficiency. more than we can possibly
hope for without some kind Of change.
AS it so happened in the legislature
just colsed, the senate with four year
terms. rather than the lower house was
at fault in tritlng with legislation.
large number of it's members also
were facing elections. This empha
sizes more strongly the need OF some
kind of action which will reduce the
number Of these scare" periods.
Where the constitution isn't being
hacked up 1t is being largely disre-
garded, anyway, so we might as well
tack on one more amendment.