Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-29
Should Speed Up Their Work.

sumed five of the thirty days during
which compensation is allowed for spcciai
sessions, without accomplishing any
thing. True, the week was one OF un-
exampled interest and excitement. The
struggle over the Equsl Suffrage Amend
ment to the Federal Constitution brought (
forth conditions and proceedings far OUT
rivaling anything ever before seen at tho
State Capital. even during the most ex-
citing of our many notable senatorial
| contests of the past Never before was
there such an enormous amount OF out
side pressure-nearly all directed IN favor
| Of the ratification of the amendment-or
such numbers and enthusiasm among
both advocates and opponents OF a pend
ing issue. .
But fi~e days constitute one-sixth OF
the sessions virtual limit, and they nave
| been fruitless. so far as act on is concern
ed. A number of measures were launched.
but little progress was made towards
attending to the specific measures men
toned by Governor Townserd IN ms
call for the special standardization OF
the amendments. consideration OF changes
in the School Code and relief Tor wash
incton street bridge in this city--wlth the
exception that il was tentatively agreed
TO vote on Equal Suffrage by "Wednesday
next at the latest. Thus there is reason
able cxpectation that this question Will
be disposed Of in few days, and we an
| a L., farf N
will be genera relief throughout the Sta'e
when this vexed and vexlng question Is
finally settled.
We eregrct to note that during lastweek s
sessions of the Legislature the members
showed no disposition to break away from
the ruts of Incidence and inattentlon 10
the interests of legislation into winch our
Legislatures for nearly quarter oi
century have become settled. Each ai'ei-
noon the members hurried to the trains 10
deDart from their homes and return the
next morning We had hoped the speCiai
session would result in a gratifying m
| novation. in that the members would re-
main in Dover at nights. for the purpose
Of allowing full time for the consideration
of all measures presented Tor their con-
c sideration. But there Is still time lor an
t Inauguration of the reform. and IT should
: begin this week.
While important matters will come up
at the special session, it is desirable tha'
thev be disposed of rs quickly as NAV oe
# consistent with proper delbcration. FIRST
Il NJ course II is essential TO dispose oi lhe
! Foua Suffrage contest. 1t is apparent 10
all that as long as it remains unsettleo u
will he idle 20 ondeavor 10 give serious
y attention to other matters Inc Persis
n tcnce Of it's advocates and opponents II
: nrcssing the merits Of their resp6 ctlNt
causes will leave no time for the members
to even think of the additional suoiecl'
= demanding attention. Their minds VII
e be distracted by frantic appeals ah'
), continual button-holing and even thos'
ir whose decisions are firmly made up ahO
e whose determination is unalterapie VII
not escape the unending rmportuniues
Nothing will relieve the situation ou
positive action, and this may only %
S reached bv roll-call on the motion to eN
tend ratification. . Therefore, The 'en'a
tive agreement to take the decisive actlo'
on "Wednesday at the latest should o'
adhered to.
OF the greatest Importance to the pe'o
nle is the disposition Of the School Code
and all the members of the Leg1slatur
should approach this matter with opei
l. minds and firm desire TO so act as Z
al rander the best service to the people Il
G. respect of their educational lnlereS's
That the code needs amending Is not de
MED Its practical operation has re
vealed the necessity of certain changes
esnecIallv those that would tend to re
Jieve holders of real estate and others Oh
taxation that is undeniably heavy AM
burdensome. The pathway to relei
this respect has been plainly pointed ou'
But all attempts to eInasculate 'he coo
nv amendments that would serlousl
;nnair its effectiveness and its capacity 10
meeting all the requirements OF our 0ta'
educational system should be repudiateo
A great public service is at stake IN III
action of the Legislature upon TINS ISSUE
- and il should be worthily and patr1otlca
.u " performed.
y And so it is hoped the nemsers OF IN
IN LEGISLATURE will enter upon their dutl'
by this week with firm intention to 90 a
;. they should do in respect Of carefully cor
30 siderine the measures that will be pr
sented and acting intelligently upon then
y and to expediting business in every pos
d sible wav: so that the special session sha
not be unduly prolonged, or prove pa
lie rem of good results.
ne The special session Of the Legisia'u
is, threatens TO cost a great deal OF none
hing of Ot neI