Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-11-24
THE NEXT LEGISLATURE.


January 2. 1923. and continue In ses-
sion for at least sixty secular days OF
actual sitting. This date is not far
of. and spcculations as 10 what the
session may bring forth are already in
active evidence. First In interest. nat
urally. viii be the oiiiciary. and this
feature is OF unusual significance. as
the Legislature will be Democratic
in both branches. a political condition
that has not prevailed at Dover for
about thirty years. with n single ex-
coption.
For President pro tempore Of the
Senate there seems TO be almost n
unanimity OF sentiment. at present. in
favor OF state Senator Charles ID. Muir
ply Of Harrington. Kent county. who
was Virtually the minority floor leader
the 1921 session and made n good
record The Importance OF this posi-
ton. however, NAV be considerably
impaired by Lieutenant-G Governor
Bush deciding 20 occupy the chair
throughout the session. as he has n
iceal risht 10 do. The State Cons,i-
tuition saws in respect Of this matter:
"The senate. at each biennial session.
shall choose ore Of its members Presi-
dent pro,cmpore. who shall preside in
the absence of the lieutcnan;-gover-
nor. or In case the latter shall become
governor" And in respect Of the lieu
usnaat-eovernor u says: HE shall be
pro-id, u, Of the Senate. but shall have
no vote unless the Senate be equally
divided"
but Republican mstor.ties IN the
Senate have set evil precedents in the
matter % respeeting he righ; OF the
neutensnt-governor 20 preside over
,fat hosy. L'eutenant-Governor Colen
ferguson was ruaoly. almost by force,
Get aside while the President pro tenn
pore exercised his official functions,
and Lieutenant-G Governor Eliason also
vas ignored in this respect. Lieutenant
Governor Parker. a Republican. set a
sood precedent by attending the ses-
s-~ -.
chair. but this example has not since
been entirely followed. especially wher
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS was a Demo
crat and the Senate was controlled by
Republican majority.
Those suggested for Speaker OF ths
House are Representatives George w
Hanson Of the Ninth district. Ken
eourty-Senstor Murphy's home dis
trici-for whom a decided boom hat
been started: he wns reading clerl
OF the House a; the 1915 session; Rep
rcsen;a;ive Samuel y. Culver OF Del
mar, Sussex county; Representative
Henry Collins OF Newark. New Castl'
county. who has had experience a
presiding officer OF both Senate an
House in his former State. New
Hampshire. and Representative )
Rogers Holconb Of New Castle. Rep
r.sen,ative Holcorb's father, Thoma
Holcomb. vas Speaker o, the Hous
at the session o; 1875. For the othe
crhcial place. there viii be. naturally
q large number OF applicants.
But II 10 no; the mere matter OF ~
inr the Offices that VIII claim the mos
serious attention q the next session
although there &dn be an opportunit
for notable reform in cutting of IN
numerous superhuities that have bee
created by recent Republican Legis
iatures. in order TO place party favor
ties and thus reward partisan service
M the expense of the State. There
ample room for a generous reduction
II is the matter OF legislation thi
VIII test the merit OF the Democrat
rlajorities H. Senate and House, an
either commend them TO indorsemer
al TIE next general election or dooi
them ano The party they represeI
TO de:srved defeat. There is a wit
field for reform-for economy in e,
penditures. reduction OF taxes. ar
s.mplifostion Of some OF the cumbe
some sppendages Of State administr'
ton that have been marked innov
rcns of pas, sessions. Here is a IA.
that VIII tax the capacity and servi
of all the members. especially those
'he Democratic majority. upon who
en.ef responsibility wiz rest