Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-02-01
ADVOCATES CHANGE IN
LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
Former Latah County Scion Fa-
vors Simpler Form Of State
Government; Recalls Article
Published Two Years Ago.

ItStHAdtiNc IiOiH lsdtdu county, hesS
forwarded communication to the
Capital News, concerning Idaho's leg
islative system. The article urges
greater elimination of red tape and
points out numerous alleged defects
with the laws now on the statute
books
Mr.. Jones' communication follows.
in an article published in the Capt.
directed to some of the defects of our
present legislative system, together
with suggestions for improvement.
"Many of the points brought out re-
ceived favorable comment In many
parts of Idaho, and in an authorized
interview Judge Morgan of the SUI
preme court strongly approved of Il
change in the system although not APP
proving all the suggestions offered In
the article referred to.
There was much agitation along the
same lines in the state of Washington,
also, about the same time.
ONE LEGISLATIVE BODY.
TN his message to the legislature of
Washington In January, 1917, Cover
nor Lister said:
81 believe that higher degree of
efficiency would be secured if the
state had but one legislative body, con-
sisting of, say, five members from
each of the five congressional districts
of the state, and respectfully recon-
mend that this suggestion be given
consideration when the question &C
l. g.slative apportionment is token up
by your honorable body
Speaking before the Joint eonven-
ton of the Oregon Washington Bar
at Portland in August,
1917. Frank Reeves Of Wenatchee said
"'Our whole system Of passing laws
at present is an iniquitious sin. 1t is
cru6e. cumbersome and crlminally in
efficient. BY its operation, log rolling
and petty interests take the place of
the public good. The welfare of the
state is subserved for political inter-
ests. Not only is the system itself
totally Inadequate, but the laws it
turns out are mere patchworks of
and amendments. They
are never the result of proper thought.
/ had ample time at our last legisla-
ture to see the defects of our present
methods of making laws. I have come
to the opinion now that a house legis-
lature with q smaller representation
would be better. 1t would record the
Will of the people and give skilled
and better paid men a chance to frame
the laws
BASIC LAW CHANGE.
49,.
require a constitutional amendment,
and in the session OF two years ago a
resolution was offered by Representa-
tive Daughters of kootenai county, but
failed to be adopted. This was to be
expected, for it Is seldom, indeed, that
q proposition for change In the or
ganic law is accepted on It's first APP
pearanee. This resolution provided
for 4 legislature of one house consist
ing of 81 members, to be elected from
q like number of districts into which
the state would be divided and to
hold annual sessions and any other
sessions convened by the governor.
THE demand for Improvement of
some kind in the legislative system of
the states has been so insistent dur
the northwestern states, that It would
seem good time 10 take the matter
up again. Since the session OF two
years ago, the war has interviewed and
he's, for the time being. absorbed all Of
our attention. Incidentally, 1t has
Jared us out of many an old rut from
which it would otherwise have talk en-
many years to extricate ourselves. But
new that we are to begin the work of
reconstruction, and nationally have as
sumed the role of pointing the way
to better governmental systems for
other peoples, It Is opportune for us
to look we'll to our own state and
county governments as well as the
national government. and get rid of
some Of our archaic methods
EXTRA SESSIONS.
How often during the last IS
months has it been said that an extra
session of the legislature would be
necessary, and no doubt If we had
been under system which would
have required but little, If any extra.
expense to the state, we would have
had n legislature in session a great
portion Of the time which would have
helped very much - great many in
stances. j believe the people are in
the mood for changes which will re-
move red tape. and cumbersome meth
DDS, facilitate the placing OF RESPONSE
bil1ty and make for greater prompt
ness and efficiency in all departments
OF our state and county governments.
After careful consideration of the
made two Years ago I he