The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-09-30
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
One Man Power I'm the Instrument
as Seen bv Mr.. Cheney.

one MAN ROVER In the Instrument
as Seen bv Mr.. Cheney.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Sept. "a.
| Editor Times Union:
In your issus of the 10th instant, you
| published communication calling for
a full public discussion of the New Con-
stitution, and, in the same issue, edito-
rally endorsed this call. Assuming that
the endorsement was made in good
faith, and that the Times Union will
give the benefit of its circulation
to such a discussion, l beg leave to offer
the following:
Whatever may be said for or against
other features of the New Constitution,
there is one feature, at least, about
which, it seems to me, If it is thoroughly
understood, there can be no difference of
opinion. AS do not think this feature
is thoroughly understood, l will call
your attention to it.
All through the agitation which pre-
coded and led to the calling of the late
Constitutional Convention, the one par
amount reason urged for revision of
the present Constitution-the only real
reason, probably, which induced a ma
jority of the people to vote for the Con-
vention, was the desire to take from the
Governor his alleged autocratic power,
and give to the people the power to Sc
lect their own officers.
The present Constitution vests in the
Governor the appointment of every
State and county officer, except consta-
bles, but there the power of the Gov
ernor ends. When an officer has been
appointed and qualified he holds his of
flee for the specified constitutional term,
absolutely Independent of the Governor,
and cannot, so far as regard for his OIL
cial position is concerned, be Influenced
or coerced by hope of his favor fear
of his dispeasure. Under the New Con-
stitution, however, the Governor can
not only. il he chooses, appoint every
officer In the State, except Cabinet ofli-
GERS and Supreme Court judges, but, in
addition to this, every officer, with these
exceptions, whether appointed or elected,
will hold his office, Arrays subject to the
pleasure of the GorernOr.
Tho New Constitution provides for the
appointment by the Governor of Circuit
and certain County Court Judges, pros
ecutinE officers and County Commits
sionerS and for the election by the quail
flied electors Of all other State and
County officers. This looks all right
upon its face, and il there was nothing
in the Constitution to qualify it, would
give to the people the absolute right to
select a majority of their officers. But
there is something to qualify this pro-
vision. Sec. Is, Art. Nv, reads as fol-
lows:
SEC. Is. All officers that shall have
been appointed or elected, and that are
not liable to impeachment, may be sus-
pended from office by the Governor, for
malfeasance or misfeasance or neglect
Of duty in office, for the commission of
any felony or for drunkenness or incom-
potency, and the cause of suspension
shall be communicated to the officer sus
pended and to the Senate, at its next
session. The Governor shall
have power to fill, by appointment, any
office, the incumbent of which has been
suspended"
The officers liable to impeachment
are the Governor. Cabinet officers and
the judges of the Supreme and Circuit
Courts. Every other officer in the State
would be liable to suspension-which
would be equivalent to removal-at the
pleasure of the Governor, and, even
though elected by the people, might be
compelled to step down and out when
ever the Governor, for any POLITICAL or
personal reason should considvr a change
in the office desirable. 1t is true the
Constitution specifies the causes for
which an officer may be suspended, but
it does not require that the charges
shall be proved or even that they shall
be true. 1t simply requires that the
alleged grounds shall be communicated
to the officer suspended, and there the
matter rests. The pre- cess is simple and |
effective, and the Governor is the sole |
judge of its expediency. Looking at |
this provision from a party standpoint, |
1t is surely a two-edged sword, cutting |
both ways. Under Democratic admin
isrration, the Republican officers elected 4
in Republican counties would speedily .
be relegated to private life, while under 4
q possible Republican administration
the solid Democratic counties would not
have long to wait for full complement
of Republican officials.
But worse, even, than the power for
partisan purposes which this provision
gives, is the absolute and irresponsible
personal power with which it clothes the
Governor. Whether he appoints the
county officers or not, they are always
under his control, and, if he so wills,
every individual officer must consult his
wishes and serve his purposes or make
room for some one who will. This makes
the Governor an autocrat indeed; one
who can serve his party or dictate to it