The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-11-26

Governor, ana dIIeSleu ny GhS OeSlOIaly VI
State"
If it should be deemed 10y the conven-
ton the better plan to elect the Secretary of
State, then such provision would be in,
corporated in the new Constitution; bat
otherwise his duties would remain the same.
Now, we believe that an officer who holds
such near relations with the Governor should
be appointed by him. If not, he would
have the power to do the Executive great
wrong by refusing to keep fair register of
all official acts and proceedings. In an
other very important particular, it will be
seen how closely his duties and those of
the Governor are connected. He is the me-
dicyn through whom the Governor commu-
nj .ssstes his official acts and proceedings to
t. sSLeg egislature. If, then, he were elected
byshs people he would not feel the neces-
sit of Sischarging the duties required
of ssnE to suah- an extent as when ap-
pointed by him. The Governor is held
ress onsible for all of his acts, and may
be 5mpeacbed for malfeasance in Office.
Aspe is suspended from the exercise of the
duties of his Office during the pendency of
such impeachment, he should have power
to appoint the SecretarY of State who holds
his official record in his power, and would
have no reasonable cause for combining
with any party against the Governor. But
some may contend thath he should be elected
so as to make him independent of the Ex-
ecutive, and ready to give information
against him. This may appear plausible,
but will not bear close scrutiny. The Office
of Governor is of more Importance than
that of Secretary of State. If he is worthy
of his exalted position, he surely should be
trusted to exercise power over the Office
who records his official acts, and if he re-
fuses or neglects to do so, he ought to be
permitted to remove him. BY such an ar
rAngement, the Governor Is not only held
responsible for his own acts, but those Of
his subordinate. Such being the case,
he would not appoint man who
was incompetent or unfaithful. 1t is upon
these grounds that the President of the
United States is permitted to appoint his
cabinet. Much more might be said in favor
of giving the appointment of the Secretary
of State to the Governor, but the want Of
space admonishes Us to hasten on to close.
As the Adjutant General is under his i'm
mediate command and executes his orders,
he should be appointed by the Governor.
Otherwise he might refuse to act in a case
of very great emergency, and even dispute
the authority of the commander-in-chief In
times Of great public danger, or even as il
now is upon our Mexican border, It is abso-
lutely necessary that there should be prompt
obedience to commands. The disastrous
effects of refusaIs to obey orders are toe
well known to require elaboration. OF ali
occupations and professions that of the
military requires the greatest decision
and dispatch. Il would therefore b
a great blunder to hold the Executive
responsible for all operations in the field,
and yet deny him the privilege to appoint
his own adjutant
II is admitted that military officers, Of al
others, should be possessed Of qualification
which the people are not prepared, By edu'
cation, to decide upon. For this reason il
Is common 70 appoint the stAf and com.
missioned officers. But we do not supPosl
that there is any necessity for giving addi-
tional reasons TO show that It is night fO'
the Governor to appoint the Adjutani
General
The Superintendent Of the Bureau
Of Immigration does rot Hold such
near relations 10 the Governor IS the secrs
taI1 Of State and ihe Adjufant General.
and therefore We think that ii win no.
matter much whether be il .ppcin.ed q