The instability of our laws is really an immense evil. I…
“The instability of our laws is really an immense evil. I think it would be well to provide in our constitutions that there shall always be a twelve-month between the ingross-ing a bill & passing it: that it should then be offered to its passage without changing a word: and that if circum-stances should be thought to require a speedier passage, it should take two thirds of both houses instead of a bare majority.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Frequent changes to laws cause instability and are harmful; a fixed period for bill passage would ensure consistency and prevent hasty legislation.
In simple terms: Changing laws often is bad; set a fixed time to pass bills.
Key Takeaway
Implement a standard legislative timeline.
Themes
law stability
government
process
efficiency
accountability
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parliamentary sessions
- budget approvals
- constitutional amendments
- emergency legislation
Key Concepts
constitutional design
legislative timing
policy continuity
Questions to Reflect On
- How would a fixed period affect crisis response?
- What safeguards could prevent abuse of the two‑thirds rule?
A Different Perspective
Rigid timelines may hinder urgent reforms.