| Show A HALF DOZEN SUGGESTIONS The following suggestions are offered of-fered to the legislative committee of the Constitutional Convention IConfine the power of the legislature legisla-ture within limits as narrow as possible pos-sible consistent with a proper regulation regula-tion of the affairs of state Legislation is necessary our laws will be multiplied very rapidlyafter placing all the limits possible there I will yet be a great deal and what is left is always subject to great abuse Prescribe forms of proceeding which will insure deliberation and publicity pub-licity I Provide that all bills for acts shall j be reported by or through a commit tetee read at least three times on different dif-ferent days in each house etc each bill to have but one subject matter and that to be fully expressed in its title no bill to become a law except on a majority vote of all the members elected to both houses and the title of the act to be publicly read by the presiding officer before signing HI Make bribery include all kinds of corruption Legislators if bribed are bought In an indirect way by presents by employment em-ployment as attorneys or agents by donation of an interest in the subject matter as stock in a corporation etc IVWipe out the lobby or third house by making all private solicitation solicita-tion of legislators by interested parties par-ties or agents a public offence The corrupt lobby has become a stench in the nostrils of every assembly assem-bly It often controls both houses Let all advocates or opponents of measures meas-ures be heard openly by committees having charge of the bills V Make all fraudulent acts of the legislature void All legislative grants are generally considered inviolable no matter if procured pro-cured by fraud deception or bribery This is said to be the law as laid down by the United States Supreme Court but the principle apparently decided de-cided by it is not found in the common I law and it is in conflict with plain I justice and common sense Private grants judicial decrees and executive I concessions are nullities when brought in contact with any kind of corruption corrup-tion yet generally the grossest fraud when committed by the legislature is considered sacred This doctrine should be abolished with such reservations as will prevent loss to the innocent but no state can afford to pay a premium pre-mium for legislative rascality If legislative leg-islative acts were made void for corruption cor-ruption who would think it worthwhile worth-while to pay bribes VIRequire every member before taking his seat to swear that he will support and obey the constitution in all things and then at the close of the session to make oath that he has done soMembers Members should swear both to support sup-port and obey and if their hands are clean they can easily swear they have done both This will cut off intercourse inter-course with lobbyists and all improper influences Legislators should be held hard to their duty they give no bonds and should take such oaths as are herein suggested |
