Hurry up and wait

Thank God the Texas House of Representative doesn’t rush into things. This deliberative group of statesmen just ratified the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.


In case you’re a bit rusty on constitutional history — and admit it, it is hard to keep up with — the 24th Amendment banned poll taxes. Oh, and it was added to the Constitution in 1964.

In other words, even though the poll tax was bad news, the Texas House didn’t have to do this. Now the amendment goes to the Texas Senate, which also will presumably do something it doesn’t have to do.

It’s a good thing our guys ’n’ gals in Austin have time on their hands. You wouldn’t want them fooling around with something else — like, oh, the current session that ends in less than three weeks.

In fact, the Leg is going to take care of some other unfinished business, such as:

-- A resolution in support of the League of Nations.

-- A bill to ban trade with Germany in retaliation for the sinking of the Lusitania.

-- Ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gives women the right to vote.

After that, the House plans to hold hearings on the transition to touch-tone phones. Over at the Senate, it's that long-awaited debate on whether jet airplanes are a safe alternative to turboprops.

Your tax dollars at work — sort of.