Forecast

Once again the legislature is in ession, and it is human to specuate on its probable doings. Its iake-up is so entirely of the jug handle kind that whatever of good or evil it may do will all belong to he republicans. They can shift none of the responsibility on the lemocrats. That the republicans are conscious of their responsibüiies and have iears of their unwieldly majority they do not hesitate to acknowledge. They would be much easier, were the opposition strong enough to divide with them the ponsibility. Governor Rich anlounces tnat he will give close at;ention to legislation and that he will not hesitate to use the veto to :ut off bad legislation if it becomes necessary. There will probably be need enough of it, as there was in the last legislature when he failed to use it at all. The first thing, and in fact the only thing, that will receive attention, now the speakership question is settled, until it is out of the way, will be the election of two United States senators. As the re-tlection of Senator McMillan is assured, the only question of interest in this issue is as to which of the three prominent candidates for the short term, Burrows, Patton or ülds, will win. The situation promises to engender much bad blood. One of the more important things which will come up for considera:on will be the report of the comnittee that was appointed two years ago to consider the question of genjral laws under which al! municipalities may be incorporated, thus saving to the legislature the time usualïy required to consider and pass separately the charter of each ■ and every town. If such laws are enacted they will do away with a great amount of special legislation and save for general legislation a great amount of time. This scheme will require an amendment to the constitution. The election laws will probably receive some attention. Some further safeguards will be thrown around the caucus and the convention. Registration for voting at caucuses will probably be required and also an enactment re quiring returns of elections to be made the same day of the voting, in order to prevent the holding back of returns for the purpose of preventing their being tampered with. These changes would be approved by most people, regardless of party. The state will no doubt be redistricted also into congressional and senatorial districts. The present apportionment was made by the democrats, and under ordinary circumstances would favor them. The changes that will be made will no doubt favor the republicans, but a radical apportionment is hardly to be looked for, on account of the decisión of the supreme court on the question two years ago. An effort will also be rnade, in accordance with republican pledges, to enact some legislation for the arbitration of labor difficulties. There is already such a law on the statute books, but it is practically a dead letter. Whether compulsory arbitration will be attempted is uncertain, but a more effective law than the present one may be looked for. There will be some legislation attempted increasing the taxation of railroads and corporations, and increased responsibility for accidents. The question of convict labor will also receive attention. Laws will also be passed giving ffect to the two constitutional mendments voted by the people ast fall. These are the more important measures that will receive the attention of the legislature at this session. There will be the usual appropriation bilis, the biennial attempt to pass a law restoring the death penalty, taxing church property and for the establishment of new institutions. A disposition to largely crease appropriations for any purpose is hardly to be expected, however. As the republicans will be on their good behavior, however, they will try to expedite business so as to reach an early adjournment and thus make a record. Should a constitutional amendment be passed placing municipalities under general laws this can be accomplished.