The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-01-29

When it was presented to them at
the proper time" they claimed so
much ignorance of the problem that
it had to be studied.
Now, no one piece of legislation
had received more attention, no one
piece of legislation had been more
discussed, no one piece of leglsla-
ton could less bear the mark of ig-
norance than occupational disease leg
islation. Every legislator knew it
would be an issue. But they refused
to even consider it.
The cry of ignorance is shallow
one-it echoes over the hills and wales
but the echo comes back as the
sham that it really is.
The same attention developed over
the highway problem. Highway pro-
posals were presented to the session.
Like the silicosis legislation the prob
lens of highways did not sneak up
as an issue on January l, 1858. Yet
the legislature refused to act. And
the legislators have the timerity to
plead ignorance.
There was legislation presented to
the legislators last session by various
groups of citizens. Much of this leg
islation had been drawn-not at the
expense of the state-but at the ex-
pense of the interested parties.
Labor presented numerous bills. 1t
is interesting to note that not one
of the measures presented by la
Dor passed.
The oil companies presented sew
eral bills. They did not all pass in
toto, but generally received the fav-
orable consideration of the legisla-
tors.
The answer to considered legisla-
ton has other alternatives which
should receive attention before ac-
cepting the legislative council route.
OF course, there is no answer equal
to that of an informed electorate,
members to their legislating
body from among men who do not
fall back on their ignorance of the
issues of the day to cover their other
deficiencies.
We could place more emphasis on
the initiative, which by its natural
brings about discussion of
the issues involved. That would re-
Iieve the burden from the shoulders
Of the more ignorant legislators.
We could raise the pay of the leg
slators and consider limited extern
sion of the session. If we are inter
ested in more democracy we could
have a "split" session to give the
people time to hear about the bills
heir legislators are asked to vote
IN. This would also give the legislator
line to consider the legislation.
In Montana we can squirm and
scream about the deficiencies of a
legislative session, but until we recog
lize and do something about the ac-
ivities of the flying squadrons of
he corporate interests that haunt
he halls of the legislature from dawn
o dark for so days, and the country
ide from session to session, and prey
lpon the ignorance of the legisla-
ors, we'd best take it easy about
hanging the constitution. And should
he electorate ever fully realize what
las been happening to them for the
'ast umpsteen years a legislative
ouncil could really go to town.
We must ask ourselves, before we
pprove government by committee if
re are willing to turn the law-making
f the state into the hands of what
ould become a cumbersome and ex-
ensive bureaucracy of unpredictable
| see legislative councils as harbor-
lg less democracy, not more. No
mendment would obviate legislators
CRYING and recommending beyond
1eir elected terms and anything they
'ould do would indeed be "death
armed over"
The decision in the Supreme Court
1ncerning the fate of the Montana
legislative Council took longer than
ost high court decisions do.
Many people became restless while
aiting for the court to hand the de-
sion down. There was considerable
scussion as to why it wasn't given
oner.
Did you know that the Court is
opposed to hand decision down