Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-24
GOV. RUsSELL'S FIGHT.
Interest in His Contest With the Massaehu-
sets Executive Council.

Interest in His Contest With the Massachu-
sets Executive Council.
Correspondence Of Tie Evening Star
BosToS. Mass, Jan. %. 1893.
Massachusetts politics run on q record-break-
ing schedule nowadays and only stop for coal
and water. The state campaign for 1892
closed last Wednesday at noon with the election
Of Henry Cabot Lodge as Senator. The cam
paign of 1898 opened two hours later when the
executive council took from Gov. Russell the
appointment of special committees in spite OF
his earnest and indignant protest. short
interreSnum. a brief respite. indeed. The
political consequences that seemed to hang on
the next meeting of Gov Russell and his coun-
ell. as recently described IN The STAR, we're
not exaggerated. The question whether there
is to be war between Gov. Russell and the con-
stitUtional advisers. whom be denounced in his
inaugural worse than useless, seems to be
answered in the affirmative. The second round
has been fought. blows were exchanged. aud
while both parties claim the advantage first
blood must be awarded to the council.
They accomplished what they set out to do.
They carried the amendment to the rules which
David Hall Rice proposed at the first meeting
OF the council on the afternoon OF Inauguration
day. They turned DOWN" temporarily at
least, the young and popular governor. who
seeks 20 have them abolished.
So much for the contest of Wednesday last
when scored BY points
But what Of the sympathies of the spectators?
There's the rub. For this fight is to be de-
cided at last, not by technical rules, or even by
results. but BY the uncertain verdict Of a popu-
lar vote. In contest like this the greatest
triumphs are sometimes the worst generaiship
II isn't necessarily so in the case in point, but
the kind of arbijer that presdes over the con-
ties; certainly comphcs;cs matters.
THE FIGHT OVER TEE RULES
The changes in the rules seem innocent
enough on their lace. The old rule of the coun-
cil-rale 5-read follows: .'All committees
shall be appointed by the governor
The substitute offered by Mr.. Rice and
adopted Wednesday reads:
Rule ). All standing committees and all COM
mittees required by statute to be appointed by
the governor shall be appointed by him. as
shall also all other committees, unless the coun-
Gil shall otherwise order"
But Gov. Russell opposed the change strenu-
ously. He entered the following protest ard
asked that il be made part Of the records of the
councIl
The proposed amendment changes n we'll
established rule which vests in the governor
the appointment of all committees and takes
from, him this power, by a vote of the council,
in the appointment OF special committees.
The power to appoint all committees has here
tofore always been given to the governor with
out question, and the exercise of this power has
pttU. i nSiltFe. WITHOUT CTlllClSll. III certainly
would be difficult this year TO appoint any COM
mittee of the cornell which should not fully
represent the political opinions of its msjority.
The amendment Is unusual and contrary to
the weil-estabiished precedents of the council.
and. in my Judgment, is unwise and unnec-
essary. Its purpose and effect are still further
to restrict the power and privilege OF the gov
ernor. In defense. therefore. OF my Office and
its prcrogatives desire to protest against he
proposed change, and to have that protest
recorded"
:. had been supposed by some democratic
symuathizers that Lieut.. Gov. WaIcott would
stand with Gov. Russell in some measures, but
he proved himself stanch supporter of the
party that had elected him. The resolution of
Mr.. Rice WIS adopted with bat one dissenting
vote. that OF the democratic member.
There was Il great Outcry on the part of the
democratic and independent press over the
clipping of Gov. Eussells wings.
The Post dem. said:
The executive council has thrown down the
gauntlet to the people of Massachusetts,
The action of this body yesterday not
simply an insult to the governor. bit defiance
OF the people who elected the governor. 1t
was a service Of a notes on the people that the
chief executive of their choice should be shorn
OF his prerOgatives and deprived Of the powers
which the occupant of this Office has held from
time immemorial. and which in no case have
been misused."
The Gio6e (dem) said: mo one who knows
Mr.. David Hall Rice will be surprised at the
part he has played in this affair. But that
Lieut. Gov. WslcOtt should have subm;ssively
assented 20 scheme to deliberately insult
his exceliency the governor comes as n
grIsyous disappointment to a multitude who
expected far better things of a man Of his
rank and previous reputation. He will vet be
made 70 realize, not less than his associates
that no greater mistake could be made than
the indulging in Massachusetts of such petty
and pitlful personal politics."
The Herald (ind said: The executive coun-
Gil appears 20 have committed itself to the
leadership of Councillor David Hal. Rice. BY
strictly party division they voted yesterday
10 deprive the governor of the power 10 APP
point the committees of that body. This was
done spite of the vigorous protest of the
governor, and with the vote of Lieut. Gov
Walcott. who seems to be disposed to follow
rather than to lead his party. Ii this action of
the executive council is to be accepted as in
dicating the course which that body is going to
pursue this year il is bad for the republican
party of Massachusetts,"
The appointment of Irving b. Sayles to sue
coed Warren T.. Locke bank commissioner
bone Of contention last year. was laid over
until the next meeting. 1t will probably not
be confirmed. In defense of the council it
may be said that until the present time no
governor has taken this department into poll
tics, and commissioners who, like Mr.. Locke,
have served faithfully have been allowed to
hold Office until they have resigned or died.
The salary Is a small one, and only its perma-
nency has made it possible to get good men to
accept so responsible position.
The first hearing on aboIishing the govern
or council occurs next Tuesday.