The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-04-09
FOR A JJNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE

worker is the star character. On this
basis Wall Street would be out OF
Montana politics in short order. In
determining the number of representa-
tives to which each group is entitled,
population numbers might be weighed
by the economic Importance OF the
group, based on socially useful wealth
production.
These representatives would be
chosen by great plurality vote OF
the people, on a non-partisan basis;
each representing especially the eco
nomic group electing him, and all to-
gether representing the interests OF
the state or people as whole. The
legislative body should be large
enough to give full representation to
all groups, and small enough to act
upon all deliberative and legislative
matters as one body-not having to
delegate any of it's functions to sub
committees-thus retaining the prfn-
ciple of full responsibility. Any one
member of the body should have the
TIBuL " Gail lOI anu bCCul z q iCil SoAA
vote on any act voted upon, thus
avoiding all secrecy and irresponsi-
bility.
These are the general principles
upon which unicameral procedure
would be based Details for effect
ing the change and for operating I'M
der the one-chambered system will
be incorporated in the amendment to
the Constitution effecting such a
change.
We will now take up some of the
principal objections to the present
two-house system and in turn show
how all these objections would be
under the proposed one
house plan, besides securing some
new, greatly desirable features.
The principal objection to the two
house legislature is that it lends it.
self too perfectly to the Vaccinations
Of special privilege interests through
their dominance of the Conference
Committee, and thus tends to defeat
he will and the interests of the mass
If the people. A bill, to become |
aw through the set-up of the two
house legislature, must pass both |
houses in exactly the same form. |
Where there is disagreement the bill |
goes to the Conference Committee, |
composed of members of both houses. |
Here, patiently, differences are sup
posed to be ironed out and an agree
nent reached satisfactory to both
houses. In practice, this Conference
constitutes third house,
sinister and more powerful than
either of the two elected houses or
han the two houses combined Why?
Because this is where progressive or
enlightened legislation is emasculated
# killed outright. First, because this
mall committee is more easily domi-
lated and controlled, and secondly,
because it's deliberations are carried
n secretly behind closed doors with
10 record of votes kept There is
ere absolutely no responsibility to
he public. This is the needles eye
through which legislation of great i'm
ortance to the people can hardly be
1ade to pass.
The committee members are ap-
ointed by the Speaker of the House
nd the President of the Senate
these two appointing agencies
re, or even if one of them
!, controlled, this committee may be
, controlled. But even when this is
OF the case, outside pressure of
aried and diabolic ingenuity is
rought to bear To this third house
ome the lobbyists of the special in
,rests, the rich and powerful with
very form of self-interest. They
'me, these lackey lobbyist, with for
idable arrays of facts; profound, If
1sound, legal Arguments; legal docu-
constitutional and uncon-
itutional palaver; they come bearing
reek gifts and pagan allurements-
lie gifts of promised positions, the
lurements of the bar, the brothel,
Id ballyhooed fame. This third
'use is therefore an entirely undem-
ratio institution-and, we are wont
say, therefore un-American. In
ct, it is un-American only in the
nse that American institutions were
iginally conceived on democratic
inciples.
Now let us go back to have a crit
al look at what we have just de-
ribed. Members of the House and
nate are elected by the people at
the same people, at the
me time, for the same purpose. The
ct that House members are elected
: two years and Senate members
: four years has, of course, absO-
ely no significance here, or any
lere. But if both groups are elected
the same people for the same task,
~ the two groups? Well, in reason
d logic there is no answer. There
only the accidental reason given
the beginning of this article Once
ting the two houses for granted,
viewer, the Conference Committee,
third house, is absolutely neces-
y, or inevitable, and yet it defeats
very purpose and will of the two
cited houses. If, then, the two
lmbers must inevitably come to
dlock because they are engaged in
,licate tasks, and the deadlock can
resolved only by third house SO
ally in position to defeat the will
the two elected houses, why in
VEINS name the cumbersome mon
osity of two houses? Again, no
son! Hence the suggested change
a unicameral basis.