The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1919-02-28
Capitol Correspondence

into the GrOttO' and his boat rock
ed fearfully as he crossed the river
Styx. If the governor cannot guide
the ship of state through the tur-
bulent political waters of Idaho
more smoothly than the old Ferry
man at the mythical river he will
be Of all men most miserable.
Would that all the people in Idaho
could take the same cheerful view
of life as the White-Drake combin-
alton does in the state legislature.
These women firmly believe that
men and women can be made good
through legislative enactment and
they are now and have been posing
as the champions of women. The
eight hour act for women, intro
duced by this irrepressible pair was
passed by the House by vote of 45
to 21. Why they were so insistent
that the Bill be passed in it's present
form instead of being further a
mended could not be comprehended
by the 81 stalwarts that voted again.
st it. 1T is the positive belief of
many that what the women got is
not what they want. 1t still leaves
the household drudge the privilege
of working twice eight hours out of
the twenty-four. The Bill provides
only for the employment in the
more genteel walks of life.
Two members Of the Senate called
at our place of business recently.
They are both men of long acquaint-
ance and tried integrity. Both are
decidedly above the average IN abil-
ity. Neither of them had introduc-
ed Bill to date. Their mission
seemed to be to kill off freak bills
that others introduced and in this
both had succeeded admirably. If
the general public could hear these
administration men talk it would
surely believe that our present
method of lawmaking is a bowling
farce.
The Governor has secured the pas
sage Of his pet measure and that
there could be no mistake he signed
the Bill himself. But the change
affects only the executive depart
ment of the state government. AS
suming that this was wise move
on part of the governor, it now re-
mains to be seen whether it will
work out in practice. The appoint
ment Of nine Commissioners whose
stipends are fixed at $360O.OO, will
be the governors first concern. Of
course fitness for such place is not
the only qualification. Party boost
ers will demand these plums but
it is hoped that our brand new
governor will not allow the old line
politicians to dictate his appoint
ments. Whatever the result may be
there will be applicants to choose
from sufficient to supply every state
in the Union. In this connecti on
ex-governor Gooding ought to be re-
membered, he having bled and died
for his party.
Now that our state has started on
an experiment to run the executive
i, department of our government
through the wisdom Of Governor
DAVIS, can we not find some Solon
wise enough to abolish our an
tiquated system of making laws?
As one looks down from the CALLER.
les upon the two motley assemblies
one is inclined to consider the
efforts of these men as the biennial
joke, but then the results are too
serious.
The present system of lawmaking
is entirely out Of date. Our COM
plex civilization demands some
thing better. Today there is hard
Iy a member in either House that
does not follow his party boss.
Party expediency is the slogan and
very few if any Legislators rise
above it. But the laws should be
made for the people as a whole
without party bias or prejudice.
Lawmaking is an exact science
and should not be left in the hands
of men or even women carelessly
picked from all trades and profes-
sions without reference to fitness
for such delicate distinctions as
lawmaking implies. A non-par-
tisan Commission kept in continu-
Gus session has been advocated and
might meet the requirements. AT