The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-06-30
f)ur Chief ExecutIve

From the New Orleans Times.
It is impossible decide whether the most Dtable
ignorance the most unparalleled impudence has orig
mated the doctrine recently arowed by the defenders
of Gov Warmoth On this subject the Radical organ
in this city thus efulges
"He being the chief executive officer of the State
becomes specially his province to decide when the
ecutive of the State shall be invoked. And we
believe is usually held that in the exercise of this
discretion the Governor is not liable to be questioned
"The highest authority in the State requires the Gov
to exercise executive power, and at the
time clothes him with the right to do auyact which may
be necessary to discharge this duty Neither the Legs
ature nor the Judiciary can impair or modify this
power. The Legislature may prescribe means to be
employed but in any case the discretionary powers of
the Governor take very wide range 1t is going rather
far for the judge of inferior court to lay down gen.
era rules for the guidance of the chefof ndepend
ent branch of the government, the highest officer in
the State and clothed with the constitutional power
to appoint the tribunal which revses Judge Cooley's
decisions and too often finds occasion to reverse then
The whole meaning of this is that Governor War
moth has the power to direct control and supervise
the execution Of all the laws Of the State and that in
doing he is only accountable to his conscience
and discretion, and beyond any responsibility to any
other tribunal All this INDUSTRIOUS pretension and alb
surdity is based the idea that the Governor is the
Chief Executive, and is required to that the laws
are executed According to this idea the Governor may
duties of a sheriff. constable tax collector or even
the functions OF common hangman that all the oth
appointed for various duties connected with the
administration and execution OF the laws act under
bis direction and subject to his control Nay, the
Republican distinctly avows that the Governors dis
erection, his will caprice is the final arbiter, whether
a law shall be enacted not; that the decisions of
courts cannot control or restrain him that certain
statute is not law and yet his Exceency take the
field and put in force such law with the power of the
police and the United States army. He may select
from the statute book such laws he thinks should be
put into operation mount his horse and march at the
head of posse to carry them into effect. Thus he
instas the Metropoitans in Jefferson whilst proceed
ngs pending the courts involving the legality of
their acts and doings We shall next hear of his |
marching at the head of battalion of his coored fell
owcitizens to storm theatres hotels, and resau
rants and execute the law of social equality. Why, |
CO., should he not give his attention to the collection
Of the taxes and start out on his own hook and
cute distringaS upon any delinquent tax debtor?
Of course such an idea Of the Governors powers and
duties never before imagined in this any other
organised State and that neither sheriff, constable
policeman tax collector, nor any other official cam
without gross malfeasance and prostitution of his Of
ice and trust yield obedience in bis sphere of duties
20 the Governor than to any other citizen, Off
,ial or unofficial.
1t is evident, however, that Canutes courtiers
nave doubt of his supremacy and of the subordina
ion to him of even the judiciary. This claim is dis
ncty based the constitutional right of the Cover
Tor to appoint the Judges of the Supreme Court of
he State. Certainly therefore, argues this profound
oubcist, inferior court has right to set its judg
nent against that of the official who appoints its supe-
iors There is logic for you! What right has an in
error court to determine the law differently from the
1overnor-perhaps to render judgment against him
or room rent-to issue subpoena, writ of habeas
orpus, Or any other process against the who APP
POINTS the judges of the Supreme Court 1t is nothing
hort of fat burglary and high treason!
Such is the doctrine which is now preached to the
Using generation of country, that of the domi-
ant party, into whose rapacious hands the destinies
# this nation have fallen