Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-16
1'ss1ias:VG ESe1iae Yesterday assss 1854
Should Keep the Doors Shut.

Should Keep the Doors Shut.
Already there are evidences that the
special session Of the General Assembly,
called by Governor Townsend to convene
in Dover next Monday, will have food
Of general business thrust upon it. The
governor, however. in his proclamation,
pointed out three specific purposes W ich
adjusted him in calling the special session,
and the members Of the Legislature will
render an important service to the people
II they confne themselves to these three
subjects and resolutely close the doors
to all other matters that may be urged
upon their attention.
First in importance of the three objects
specifically defined by the governor is the
amendment Of the School Code in such a
manner as to extend to the support of
the State public schools, under the new
syvtem devised by the code. a sufficient
appropriation from the States ample
0eDeral funds 10 avert the increase in taxa
tion on peruon and real estate that other
wiae win be unavoidable. There is
plain. business proposition, and there
ahosh be no hesitation. or delsy, in giving
itapprovaL Taxes already are oppress We
N this State, and the results such aninAux
of money into the State treasury ae TO
make it easily possible TO employ liberal
part of IL for public school purposes in
preference to imposing additional taxes.
This should be apparent to every member
of the Legislature, The State income
tax, the corporation revenues, and the
other sources of money are most liberal
and there would be no sound reason for
adding further burdens upon real estate.
The other two objects set forth by the
governor are clear and intelligible and
should require no extended time for con-
sideration and action. The ratification
Of the Equal Suffrage Amendment to the
Federal Constitution is a matter upon
which every member of the Legislature
viii 90 10 Dover with his mind fully made
up-either IN favor Of ratification or
opposed There will be contesting dele
cations 10 present their respective causes, |
but that ID no reason why much time |
should be devoted to hearing them. A |
dsy for those IN favor and day for those |
opposed ought to be sufficient, and the |
decisive vote In view of the pressure /
that viii be brought TO bear upon the
members by both sides, and which no
doubt will be very much Of nuisance to
all save those few who NAV love such
nctoriety, it is reasonable TO suppose most
members will be only too glad TO end the
contest as soon az possible by the final
rDIl-call-
The matter Of extending relief to the
commissioners having in charge the con-
structson of the new bridge over the
Brandywine ought not TO take up great
deal Of time The appropriation for this
purpose allowed by the Legislature of
1919 i. $550,OO0. The commissioners
deemed it expedient, and in accord with
public interests to build bridge that
will cost nearly 33OO, 900 more, and have
awarded a contract to this extent. Now !
they desire legislative authority to borrow {
the additional sum that will be required.
Even should there be opposition to this {
proposition-and none has yet developed
and action should not
require more than a few days The !
special session, therefore, should be l
brought to an end within two weeks.
Whether this most desirable outcome
shall be realized depends entirely upon
the members They will have the temp
tation TO extend the session to the limit
of tho thirty days for which compensation
s allowed by the Constitution for special :
'essions, and it If they yield, undoubtedly :
Will g've attention to matters of business
'thes than those mentioned by Governor
Townsend in his proclamation. But
here y not q. single suggestion in the way
II new business. that can possibly be of
uch Importance as to jeopardize public
interests by being deferred until the reg
liar session of the 1921 Legislature. which
Vii convene next January. In fact. of
be three subjects mentioned by the
GOVERNOR, only the one referring to school Il
lnances may justly be held as Of sufficient =
Importance TO warrant the calling Of the -
peeial session. The other two could well b
ave waited until the regular session. Il
IL ls hoped, therefore. the members OF !.
be Legislature will have due considers | Il
on for the public interests Of the State Ii