The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-25
THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND THE
APPOINTING POWER.


There are times when it is better for
political party to be right than to
be consistent, but when right and con-
sistency both demand particular line
of action it is most unwise not to adopt
it. To do wrong and be inconsistent at
the same time is a double folly. 1t is
because the Journal regards the recent
action of the Republican caucus rela-
tive to State institutional boards as
wrong in itself and inconsistent with
the party record that it ventures to
present anew some of the reasons why,
in it's opinion, that action should be
reconsidered.
The question involves two distinct
points; first, the propriety or rightful-
ness of taking the appointing power out
of the hands Of the Governor and vest
ing it in the State officers, and, second,
the removal of the State institutions
from politics. On both of these points
the party is strongly pledged to line
Of action different from that adopted
by the caucus AS to the first. it is to
be remarked that while the Democratic
party has several times taken the APP
pointing power out of the hands of the
Governor, this is the first time the Re-
publican party has ever proposed to
do it, The first attempt in that direc-
ton was unsuccessful. In 1868 Demo-
cratic Legislature tried to pass a bill
taking the appointment of military Off !
GERS out of the hands of the Governor
and giving it to State officers, and an
other bill to create an Executive coun-
Gill; to consist Of the Auditor, Treas
urer. Secretary and Attorney-general
of State, making the signatures of a
majority of them necessary to the legal
ity of any act by the Governor. These
bills were adopted by the Democratic
caucus, and would have been passed
had not the Republican members broken
up the Legislature by withdrawing in q
body. On the goth of March, 1863, a
committee of Republican Senators and
members appointed for the purpose
issued an address to the people review
ing the action of the Democratic ma
jority. 1t said:
They brought forward a number of un-
constitutional and revolutionary measures,
which we will briefly notice.
First-A bill creating an executive council,
to consist of the Auditor. Treasurer, Secre-
tary and Attorney general of State, making
the signatures of majority of them neces-
sary to the legality of any act OF the Gov
governors of the State, and deprived Gov
ernor Morton of all power whatever.
the boards of control of the Benevolent in
situations, legislating the present trustees
out of office. for the purpose of making
room for Democratic pdrtiSanS, and giving
them the control and patronage The policy
intended to have been inaugurated was en-,
tirely revolutionary in character. and could
not have been else than highly injurious to
the best interests of the State.
These measures went much further
than the caucus bill now proposed. but
they involved the same principle and
were opposed by Republicans on the
ground that they invaded the constitu-
tional rights of the Governor. Gov
ernor Morton in a speech before the
Republican State convention Feb. %,
1864. said the military bill transferred
to the State officers the military power
which was vested in the Governor by
the Constitution and gave to them new
and dangerous powers hitherto I'M
known to constitutions or laws in reg
ularly organized governments.
In 1883 Democratic Legislature took
the appointing power out of the hands
of Governor Porter The action was
characterized by the Journal as "a glar-
ing and fragrant effort of the most
malignant party type to secure public
patronage and this was the sentiment
of the party press throughout the State
In 1886 the State was shocked by the
disclosures Of rnismanagement and cor
ruption in some of the institutions. The
Republican party was already fully COM
mitted against rafpovior tho apuoinfiop
power from the Governor, and the State
convention of 1886 declared in favor of
extending the principles of the civil
service law to the State institutions. A
few days after the convention General,
then Senator, Harrison delivered a
speech in the Grand Opera House in
this city. in which he said:
The benevolent institutions of the State
We have given generously to their construc
ton and equipment 1t is a disgrace to our
State that these institutions should be
drawn into the strifes of political parties.
That official places connected with the care,
treatment and instruction Of the. insane.
deaf and dumb, blind. imDecile and of the
orphans of our soldiers should be regarded
and distributed as a part of the spoils OF
politics is public scandal reproach to
our civilization
A Democratic Legislature restored
the appointing power which had been
taken away from Governor Porter to
Governor Gray, and a later one took it
away from Governor Hovey. The con-
test between Governor Hovey and the
Legislature was long and stubborn, the
entire Republican press of the State
standing. as in previous contests, for
the constitutional prerogative OF the
Governor. While the contest was in