The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1890-01-15
THE CONFLICT

The governor, in execution OF his con-
sttutional duty TO from time to time,
give the General Assembly Information OF
the state OF the Commonwealth and rec
omroend to their consideration such meas
ures as be may deem expedient," aud that
other constitutional injunction that he
shall take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, " has dared to call the attention
of the Legislature to certain supposed
practices in the courts and elsewhere
which are not according to law, and in
dicating that the laws are not faithfully |
executed
For this crime. he has evoked the wrath |
Of the presumed delinquents. who are rush |
ing to the Legislature, aud through the |
sanction OF that body, are publishing to the
world violent and 10 our judgment revo-
lntionary documents, 10 which he is de-
nounced rs an usurper Of powers he does
not possess, political demagogue Of the
most dangerous character, impairment,
arrogant vain aud impu ing TO him the
yilesl of motives. Ibe catalogue OF char
yes against the executive in these docu-
menis and in The press who are in sym
patty with them, cannot well be set forth
| in one or many newspaper articles. Mem
bers of the Senate and House have not
| fallen behind 10 vitupera,ion and abuse
of the Chief Magistrate Of the Common
wealth
What manner of times is this upon which
we have fallen Is it not time for us to
call halt and reaectH
A CO. ordinate department of the govern
ment namely the Legislature Of Kentuc
Ky, sits mplacently and apparently with
approval, and hears the most violent as
sauls made upon another coordinate Oe-
partment OF the government, namely the
executive of the Commonwealth OF Ken
lucky. 1t places itself in position to be
the vehicle through which these assaults
are made.
What is the cause OF all this2 The
governor, informed by the reports Of an
officer Of the State charged by law with
the duty of Investigating and reporting to
him any abuses existing IN the conduct of
any officer OF this Commonwealth, who is
authorized to receive or collect any money
going to or due the State, or who has the
management or control Of any property of
the State, touching his official conduct
thereupon." that there are abuses 10 some
! IL l., T,,t1. =. l. i
Of abuses affecting the welfare and "st,te
OF the Commonwealth in other quarters,
dares TO report the information received,
to the Legislature, as the constitution
commands him to do, and to recommend
to the Legislature such measures 'as he
deems expedient."
SO soon as this is done, and constltu-
tiOnally and in pursuance of the require
ments Of his oath Of office, those to whose
alleged unlawful practices, the attention OF
the Legislature is called, are thrown into
the most violent ferment, and hurl their
iniurated inviclives against the executive
into the bos1m Of the Legislature, aud we
find them received by that body with most
dangerous sympathy.
We will suppose that the Governor shall
send to the Senate and House a message,
assaulting the Legislature for any supposed
cause, and COUGHING it in language similar
TO that used in some OF the communica-
tons sent to that body and received by 1t
What would be thought OF it2 Yet would
this really be any worse than what we see
today in the treatment the governor is this
moment receiving at the hands Of the
Legislature
The situation at Frankfort argues that
there is deepsested and fearful disregard
and want OF respect for law and govern
mental authority abroad 10 the land. II a
high official of the government in obedience
to duty imposed upon him by law, when
he has discovered what he believes to be
official misconduct or practices subversion
Of the welfare of the State, dares to off,
cialy recognize them and seek to correct
them, it is the signal for his obstruction.
All the interests combine to destroy him.
Every legislator who has fancied grew
ance, joins in the hue and cry, and the
welfare of the State and its people is sacri-
fced-not at all to be considered in the
confusion and clamor Of the occasion.
Some charge that the governor is maxi
ing detective Of himself, some that he is
'nosiDg" into things-some one thing and
some another. A detective is usually on
the trail of some law breaker, and it often
occurs that ''nosing' is sometimes deferred
too long. as in the Tate matter,
Some may not admire the exact methods
Of the governor. Some may criticize the
vigorous language he employs, but the fact
remains that he has only done his duty
and bis methods Snd language are intend
cd to correct evils and bring TO the dis,
charge Of official duty, the highest ef
fciency everywhere
The people do not propose that faith
full public servant shall be destroyed TO
doing his duty. A faiihless legislator,
may yield to the fell spirit that seeks Il
hound him. In due time, the people viii
be heard in behalf OF right and win up.
hold the constitutional rights of the ex
ecutive department Of the government
after honest Investigation, the Governor
charges are not well founded anywhere