use Nebraska particularly because I think
you can prove anything from one state to
another, but to set the history straight—,
in a recent article appearing in the maga-
zine State Government, written by a man
who moved to Nebraska, not a Nebraskan
who grew up in the Norris tradition, if
you please, a study, the most recent study
of the unicameral system in Nebraska says
this: "In Nebraska, the unicameral system
enjoys overwhelming support from the pub-
lic, from the leading newspapers, from the
interest groups and from the State's politi-
cal leaders."
This would seem to me to be an indica-
tion that in Nebraska the general popula-
tion has pretty well accepted the idea that
what they have there is better than what
they had before.
What they have there now may not be
better than what we have here. That is not
the point. The point is that the unicameral
system in Nebraska produced a better
legislature than they had had before. My
experience does not indicate that we should
continue with the bicameral legislature.
In the third place, I would like to make
allusion to this teacup. It is always brought
up. Washington and Jefferson were great
men, but they lived in the eighteenth cen-
tury. We no longer pour the tea in the
saucer. At least, I have not seen anybody
pour tea in a saucer since I was a boy on
the farm.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Winslow,
you have one minute.
DELEGATE WINSLOW: Thank you.
The teacup theory in 1789 was expressed
at a time when the philosophy of govern-
ment was that government is best which
governs least. We have long since discarded
that theory. We no longer believe in that
theory. If what you want is a government
which can obstruct, if what you want is a
legislature which can keep from legislating,
for heaven's sakes, keep the bicameral sys-
tem, add another house, and another, add
as many as you please.
If you want a legislature which can
work, which is visible, which is responsible,
let's have the unicameral system.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any delegate
desire to speak in opposition to the amend-
ment ?
Delegate Malkus, before I recognize you,
since you have already spoken, let me see
if anybody else desires to speak in opposi- |
tion. Does any other delegate desire to
speak in opposition?
Delegate Price?
DELEGATE PRICE: Mr. Chairman, it
has been suggested that people of the State
are not aware of what is happening. I
would like to suggest that this is the fault
of the people of the State and not of the
Senate or the House of Delegates.
We spoke in terms of controlling the ex-
ecutive authority. I can think of nothing
more horrible for the State than having an
executive who would assume the posture of
being a potter and one house that would
allow itself to be the clay. I simply rise to
support the bicameral system for fear that
we may well cut down a tree that might
better be left for shade.
Thank you.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Mentzer.
DELEGATE MENTZER: I would like
to offer my experiences during the cam-
paign to be delegate here in support of a
unicameral system. We had a fairly vigor-
ous campaign. I think I spoke before 20
groups and nearly all asked about this
question of a unicameral system versus a
bicameral system. The first two times I
spoke I discussed the theory; I gave all the
reasons we have had here today, the in-
crease in effectiveness of the legislature as
a branch of government, the efficiency in use
of time, taxpayers' money, the account-
ability of the legislators themselves, the
visibility of bills to the citizen at large,
but I would always retreat and say that
for practical considerations I would prob-
ably withhold my support from it. Voter
acceptability was questioned, the weight of
the traditional system and the fact that
politicians in general did not like it.
When I came to my third meeting a man
from the audience challenged me and I
have been very thankful to him ever since.
He said, "You must have the courage of
your convictions and vote your conscience.
The people of Maryland want a new Con-
stitution and want it to embody the best
structure possible." After that, I did not
have any other trouble with the other 17
meetings, at least when they asked about
this question.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any other dele-
gates other than Delegate Malkus desire
to speak in opposition?
The Chair recognizes Delegate Malkus.
DELEGATE MALKUS: Thank you, |
