, 1875-02-01

~Ae "eNAso AZ 'HSi1 ~ ejHAao' eAAAA WA
rants the action Of the Minnesota Legislature.
1[a hea but one altaruativo-own up or throw
up.
THE ACEPHAL0Us sYsTEM."
The Chicngo Times has recently discovered
that the President of tho United States, nm
der our Constitution, ID not n President but
n " King" 1Eo is King, it seems, because
lie is elected for n fixed term of years., though
vo learn for the first tilno thnt this is n King
" characteristic; aud ho is also n '' King'
beca;1sc his administration is inflc1ible during
tho term of years far which he is elected.
because tho President is "king, the Times
governmental scientist opposes tho PROPOSE
n President for six years and make hin, ineli-
gible for second term. This, ho says, would
only prolong aud strengthen the royal
prerogativ9. In lieu thereof tho politi-
cal sasant OF the Times proposes to
abolish tho President nltogother and thus
get rid Of tho King then to distort the Eu-
ropcan system of responsible Ministry by
substituting Cabinet without hend which
shall change with the various notifications
Of tho popular vote. 1t leaves altogether
undetermined who shall exercise tho Execu-
tive power, call tho new Cabinet into exist
enco, and appoint tho various agents for the
administration Of Government functions. In
other words, tho sage Of the TINES has con-
ceiyed an acephalous systom OF government,
which is body without head. Of all tho
political vngaries Of modern journalistic en-
terprisc, we commend this "ncophalous sys-
tenn" us tho most unique aud remarkable
specimen Of its class.
The Times has made very bungling work
Of very acrious proposition, and las 50 re-
yersod and complicated the real condition Of
things that it is worth while to bring somo
order cut of tho cllaos it 1as created III Boyen
days OF ell tho systems of government,
ancient and modern, civilized and savage,
dcspotio and liberal, VIC havo mover heard of
any that existed for any length Of time with
out head. This bend may DO generally de-
nominated ne IN Executive or Chief 3Iagis-
trete. In Russia, tho Chief Magistrate is
called Gear; in Germany, an Emperor; in
Italy, King; in England, Queen; i'll
France, SIarshal- President; aud in tho
United states, President. Tho "aceph-
alous system" however, is without prcce-
dent. We mist start out with tho admission
TINT every Government, like every fnrnily,
overy corporation, every business, and every
organization for common benefit, must have
heal. Tho trouble with the Times rcfor1ner
is TINT Ao would cut OF the head altogether
and leave the body and legsdangling in con-
fused and unshapoly u,ass. This is absurd;
but there is something serious behind this
1umbIa Of nonsense.
There aro two prevailing forms Of govcrr1-
ment in tho civilized world at the present
time, both with heals, but with very differ
ent organizations. Quo is tho British and tho
other the American system; tho one a consti-'
tutional monarchy, the other constitutional
republic. Both aro governments for tho
people, but differ radically in plan.
In tho ouo there Ia q King or En-
poror, possessed Of permanent ten
uro Of Office, handing it down by heredi-
tary succession, and belonging to no party
or faction. His power is restrained by con-
stltutional provisions and by Parliament
elected by tho people. In tho other. tlo
Chief Magistrate is President elected by
the people for n limited fixed term OF yoars
Ills powor is also restrained by constitutional
provisions and by tho limitation Of his term
OF Office. The organic difference botwocn tho
two IL TINT, in tho constitutional monarchy,
tho Cabinet attached to the person Of tho
Chief magistrate and administering tho yari-
! ous functions OF Government, ia directly ro-
sponsiblo to Parliament, and Is changed &C.