82 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



In 1894, the last year of the old constitution in Kentucky, three 

 large volumes were filled with special laws. Since the new constitution 

 was adopted only a thin volume of laws has appeared each year. New 

 constitutions have in large measure taken away the power of the legis- 

 lature to pass special laws. This is particularly true of the constitu- 

 tions of the newer States. 



There is no reason why the time of the legislature should be taken 

 up in this way. In Illinois this evil was very great under the old con- 

 stitution. When the new constitution was framed in 1870, the legis- 

 lature was forbidden to pass special acts save in a few cases. As a 

 result, the statutes of Illinois are very generally such as apply to the 

 whole State. In 1901 there were passed in that State one hundred and 

 ninety-three laws, of which more than one hundred and twenty-five 

 were of general application. 



The new constitution-makers have not always been content with 

 taking away the power to pass special laws; they have in many cases 

 tried to curb the power of the legislature further by putting a limit to 

 the number of days of the session. A movement is also on foot to have 

 sessions less often. This movement found expression in the new con- 

 stitution of Alabama, which provides that the regular sessions of the 

 legislature shall be held once in four years. This seems like a rather 

 doubtful experiment. While it is perhaps desirable that the sessions 

 be not held too often, yet grave evils may be caused by meeting only 

 at long intervals. There are some subjects on which it is necessary to 

 legislate oftener than once in four years. Some reforms must be fought 

 through many sessions of the legislature and when this body meets only 

 at long intervals, the much-needed reform may be greatly delayed. 

 This was well illustrated in Alabama during the recent session. There 

 is in that State a great need of some legislation on the subject of child- 

 labor, as the employment of young children in the cotton mills has 

 recently awakened public sentiment on the question. The persons who 

 are profiting by the exploitation of this labor made a determined effort 

 to prevent any legislation on the subject, knowing full well that if they 

 could prevent it at that session, they would be secure for four more 

 years. The subject of child-labor is not one on which public sentiment 



