New Britain herald., 1925-03-30
LIONS or IEGISIATU RE HAVE BEEN FAMED

IIVNN UT ' m
 HAVE BEEN FAMED
 The Connecticut Legislature Of 1925 is rapidly becoming known as the tamest in years. Veteran legis- lativo reporters and state politicians, discussing the coorless trend of af- fairs, are al loss how to explain it.
 One reason is that there is an un- dercurrent of feeling that there are already enough laws on the statute books, This belief is the common property of the common citizen and percoates from the masses of voters 10 their representatives in the state capitol. There has been a deal of public criticism against passing more fool laws,' and the Legisa- ture is wise if this public wish is needed But the results, from the standpoint of the public, is de- crescendo of population interest. There is not much to get excited about when no serious issues about proposed legislation arise. The most important so far have been the med ical practice act and, Sunday sports law. and the Wheeler bill.
 Another reason for the torpid leg islative liver is that opposition to the rulers is not likely to achieve results. Kicking over the traces and bucking the machine" once a Yankee trait that made the public gape with pleasure, has become lost art Where are the fellows on the hill with courage to wage battles for B principle no matter what the odds? One might better ask, where are the principles
 Pet roads for the state to adopt and pay for is 10 be found in every legislators list of measures. In for mer years if the roads, rivers and bridges committee reported a road bill unfavoraby, there would be a battle royal in the house in an at tempt to get an upset of the re- port--but now they receive the re- port as just another "pet" gone astray. Occasionally 8 measure IS tabled to keep it alive but that as 4 rule, proves fruitless. The fight spirit is fast disappearing among members.
 The Legislature also is losing some of its virility through the modern custom of ceding many of its powers to commissions. There was a time when the Legislature could stand upon It's own feet without the aid of so many commissions to look after the work and attend to details; hut nowadays there is plenitude or commission government in the state oapjtol and all the legislators need to do is to look on and appear satis- fled. The commissions as a rule have been given plenary administra- tive powers but also have juridical poyers. Government by commls- Ions may be just as good as gov ernment by the Legislature, and in some respects better, although less responsive to public pressure, but the bows from the legislative dls- tricts have more time 10 swap stories instead of swapping strong talk on the floor of the house or senate.
 The wonanly invasion in the Leg ,s,ature has the effect of making gentlemen of all the men. They the men-come to the Legislature nowadays shorn of all their former instincts for warfare. It IS no longer safe to ''say things" even in the corridors. Women have keen ears and no gentleman legislator feels he Is any longer free to discant in the manner of addressing barber shop audience. Women have tanned the Legislature, like they do men wherever the twain meet on equa, terms. They have taken all the starch and fight out of the stern stalwarts: the Legislature indeed has been converted into the soft-spoken style of a tea party, or the soIemnity of a funeral.
 Maybe it is better so; there may be nothing to regret.