The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-03-09
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

AS The HERALD readers are
aware, there is o reasonably well
al henticsted rumor in circulation
to the effect that the Governor has
given the Legislature to understand
that unless his nominations are
confirmed he will refuse to approve
the appropriation bill. If Governor
Murray has done this he has in
dulged in little bit Of demsgogic
buildozing that cannot fail to bring
him into deeper shame and dis
grace. There is question IS to the
right of the Executive to nominate
to certain Offices ;the matter has long
been subjectsOf dispute, conflict
between the Governor and Legisls
ture having arisen st every success
siVe session at least during the in
cumbency of the last three Cover
nors. The question lie still unsettled
and the lawmakers have the appar
emit advantage on their side
which is against admitting
the claims of His ExceIlency.
The law which provides for the
election of these officers is in the
statute books, duly approved by a
Governor, and has never been dis
approved by Congress, the power
which has declared acts by the local
Legislature legal until they are an
nulled by the disapproval of Con.
gress itself. La harmony With the
law the officers have been chosen
and their functions regularly exers
cised. 1t is quite probable things |
will 60 on as usual so long as the
laws remain in force, regardless of
the assumptions or even the rights
Of the Governor in the premises.
But, if it be admitted that the
Governor has the right to nominate
to Office, and that right is denied by
the Legislature, what has it
got to do with the appropriation
bill? What connection can
there be between that law and any
bill not bearing on the subject?
There is certainly no doubt as to
the right Of the Legislature. with
the Governor, to wisely and judi
ciously appropriate the public
for the public good; indeed
1t goes beyond right and is a duty
lawmakers cannotleacape
without neglecting il not violating
their trust. They must provide for
carrying on the government, paying
the salaries OF officers and the ex-
penses of administering and man.
aging public affairs. II the Execus
tive, in his better knowledge of the
revenues or Of the needs and re-
quirements of the State, should
deem the appropriations injudicious,
improper or eXtravagant, 1t
would be not only his right,
but his duty to suggest readjust-
ment, or he might consistently re.
fuse his approval to the measure
put when he interposes to say that
unless the Legislature will yield to
him he will retaliate against the
Territory, he becomes bully to say
he least, and we are not certain
hat such conduct would not be held
Is very nearly akin to crime. To-
accomplish his own ends he holds a
whip over men who are guaranteed
n their right to free action, and by
/ threat undertakes to coerce them
nto what they must regard as a
Tiolstion Of law. In assuming this
attitude, If he has assumed it, Cow 8
,rnor Murray is taking an exceed. |,
ngly awkward and ugly position.
t is also dangerous position.
Without saying anything as to the I
merits Of the controversy regarding G
he Governors right to nominate to 3
certain Offices, The HERALD urges ,
he Legislators to stand out firmly :
lgainst this demsgogic attempt to =
rive them; and If matters should
ONE 20 the worst, let the bill fail
nd the appropriations go. It will r
'e far better for them to do this 7
han TO yield principle, or be driven i,
gainst their will or their conyic. +
ions of right. II Murray wants to h
gsume the responsibility of block, r
1g the wheels Of government, of
utting off the appropriations to the
ourts, to schools, for the payment lie
Official salaries, for all the legit- p
nate expenses Of the common u