Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 187, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1920 — Hew Wit Helps Legislation. [ARTICLE]

Hew Wit Helps Legislation.

It Is sometimes said that a reputation for wit is fatal to a serious legislative career. But the statement Is not altogether true, for more than once a bit of wit has prevented legislative folly. It is a, tradition In Philadelphia that during the constitutional convention it was proposed to incorporate in the a provision that the United Stgtes army should never exceed 8,000 men. According to the tradition the debate, which was possibly informal and outside the regular sitting; was abruptly cut short when Benjamin Franklin solemnly suggested that there be incorporated another clause making it part of the organic law of the land that no for- ( elgn nation should ever Invade the country with an army of more than 8,000. A somewhat similar point was scored in the state legislature a few years ago when, during a discussion not over well based, It was proposed by a shrewd Yankee from the hills of Sunderland, F. L. Whitmore, that'n law should be enacted providing that no one should be obliged to work between meals.—Springfield (Mass.) Republican.