SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE IN LAW-MAKING a 
and the preparation of bills. He serves for one or two terms only and, 
therefore, does not have the opportunity to become familiar with the 
work of legislation nor to fortify himself against the ingenuity of the lobby- 
ists. ‘This is one of the greatest causes of the inferior legislation of the 
American states. In many districts the idea that a member shall not 
serve more than two terms has become firmly established. The ambition 
to serve a term in the legislature is quite common; such service guarantees 
high social standing; it also helps one’s business or profession. Then, 
too, it is thought by the politicians that peace and harmony in the organi- 
zation can be more easily maintained if the legislative ambitions of 
a large number of aspiring statesmen are gratified with an office that 
does not bring large monetary returns. Hence, the two-term rule, and 
hence, also, inferior legislation by inexperienced men. 
Few persons have an adequate idea of the extent to which this practice 
of granting short terms of service to the members of the legislature is 
carried. In the house of representatives of the state of Michigan are 
one hundred members. The legislature meets every two years. In the 
session of 1899, of these one hundred members of the house, only four 
had served in the same body four years previous. Similar examples 
might be found in other states. 
The results of this custom are that the new member of the legislature 
is very much in need of assistance if he is to accomplish anything. 
Imbued with the American idea that law isa remedy for all things, the 
new members are anxious to get through some piece of legislation. They 
must have help in the preparation of their bills and the material for their 
arguments before the committees. This assistance they will secure from 
someone, and if the state does not provide it for them, those interests 
seeking favorable legislation will be only too glad of this opportunity to 
put the unwary legislator under obligations to them. 
One of the primary duties of the state is to shield as far as possible 
its representatives in the legislature from the pressure brought to bear 
upon them by the agents of interests which desire to secure special legis- 
lation or to prevent the passage of laws that will curtail their privileges. 
Numerous lobbyists are present at each session and the so-called “third 
house” has become well known in American legislative procedure. 
