New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-15
A Way to Provide Opportunity
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The Constitutional Convention rs
struggling with the effort TO formulate plan
under which the affairs Of the state VIII re-
ccive n greater degree of attention than al
present, and under which the legislative pro-
cedure will be better calculated to promote
results satisfactory to the state. 1t seems 70
he thought that because OF the conditions
which have prevailed for many years ana
which have been growing worse from year 70
wear it is necessary to impose restrictions
upon the power of the Legislature, partIcu
larly in the matter of legislation providing
for appropriations from the states treasury
To that end it is suggested that the con
stitution contain a provision for the prepa
ration of budget so-called, by the Gov
eruor of the state. ! am one OF those VINO
believe that the Governors power should be
limited to the duty of passing upon leglsla-
ton submitted to him for his approval or dis
approval ! am opposed TO conferrlng upo"
the Governor the power to prepare and SUBMIT
budget for legislative approval. | do not
however. propose to discuss this phase OF the
situation at this time. | speak of it only
because Of the tendency disclosed to limit the
mower of the Legislature, which proposition
is radically wrong.
Instead of limiting the power of the Leg
islature. provision should be made IN the
constitution for system under when II may
be possible for legislation to receive more
careful consideration at the hands OF inc
members Of the Legislature. Under present
conditions deliberation is impossible There
has grown up in this state during the last
twenty-five years a feeling that the Legs
lsture should not remain in session for a
period greater than three or at the most
four months. Fifty years ago legislators
were accustomed TO sit from three to tour
months for the purpose Of considering the IN
terests Of the state and providing suitaole
legislation FOR the protection OF those inter
ests. During the last fifty years the interests
and business affairs of the state have in
creased probably several hundred fold. The
annual expenditures of the state have quad
rupled The various lines OF activity as
sumed by the state have expanded and en-
larged beyond the dreams Of any one IN eN-
istence even thirty years ago. with II ali
there has been no effort made to encourage
the legislature to take sufficient time Tor the
consideration of the enormously important
matters which should have had their atten-
ton. The salaries of members of the Legs
lature have remained at the same figure Tor
more than thirty years, and the same aIo"
ance has been made during all of that PERIOD
for expenses of the members.
During the first two months of the session
little. if any, work of value has been accom-
plished. Committees have been appointed
bills have been introduced, few hearings
have been had, but the real work of the Leg
islature has not been taken seriously until
about the time that members were beginning
TO think of the date of final adjournment
With that thought in mind, the work of dis
posing of the accumulated mass of bills in
troduced and referred to committees has been
undertaken and accomplished. The result
has been a congomerate mass OF Ill consld-
cred and undigested legislation and passed
in MANY cases without even a rollcall on the