The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-15
CONTROL OF THE STATE INsTITU-
TIONS.

RepuDucan member or the Legislature
Is as DESTROYS as itself of seeing the
party pledges relative to nonpartisan
control of State institutions carried out,
nor does 1t for a moment question the
honesty of the motives of those who diff
fer with 1t as to the best mode of doing
this. The difference is one as to methods
and not as to ends to be attained. The
Journal believes. both as matter. of
principle and policy, that the best way.
in the long run. would be to leave the
appointing power in the hands of the
Governor. where it naturally and rightly
belongs. providing that not more than
two members OF each board should be-
long to the same political party, and
prescribing certain civil service prin-
ciples relative to the appointment and
removal of employees. The arguments in
favor of this system are numerous. It
is in accordance with the theory of the
Constitution, which makes the Governor
the executive head of the State. 1t is in
harmony with the principle Of good gov
eminent. which demands the concentra-
ton of executive responsibility. 1t is
the principle which has been asserted
by Republican Governors from Morton
to Hovey. declared by Republican con-
lican press It's adoption at this time
would afford indisputable evidence of the
intention of the Legislature to carry out
the pledges of the Republican party in
good faith, and If it failed to accomplish
the desired end the fault would not be
theirs.
The arguments against the adoption of
this plan seem to the Journal to be lack
ing in force. The main one is that as
the present Governor is Democrat.
and to leave the appointing power in his
hands would be equivalent to insuring
Democratic majority on all the institu-
tional boards for the remainder of his
term. Notwithstanding the fact that the
Republicans are in political control of
the State. Admitting that this is true.
it does not go to the essence Of the ques-
ton. The boards would be no more par
tisan with a majority of Democrats
than they would be with a majority Of
Republicans, and if the appointing power
were left in the hands of the Governor
thus throwing upon him the responsible
ity of seeing that the new system was
administered in good faith and the in
situations managed on strictly business
principles, he would be extremely care
full in regard to his appointments. There
are plenty of men in both parties who
are patriots before they are partisans,
and who. If placed on these boards,
would see that the institutions were
managed on business principles and
without reference to politics. The Jour-
nal believes that under law creating
bipartisan boards and leaving the ap-
pointing power in the hands of the Gov
ernor, making him responsible for the
proper administration of the law, he
would be exceedingly careful to appoint
men noted for their honesty, executive
ability and business capacity rather
than for partisanship. With boards so
constituted and with a provision pro-
hibiting the appointment or removal of
employees for political reasons, the foun-
dalton Of genuine nonpartisan manage
ment of the institutions would be laid
AS against this plan the only argument
in favor of placing the appointing power
in the hands of commission
to be composed Of the Governor,
Secretary of State, Treasurer of State
and Auditor of State is that this will
insure at once majority of Republic
ans on all the boards. This in itself is
recognition of the principle of parti-
san control and will tend to give parti-
san considerations controlling weight in
the selection of boards. If such a law
should be enacted for the obvious pur-
pose Of giving the Republicans an i'm
mediate majority on all the boards the
next Democratic Legislature will use 1t
as justification for the enactment of a
law giving the Democrats immediate
control of all the boards. and so the old
fight will go on. The Legislature should
legislate not for immediate party advan-
tage. but for future good government
1t should look to the esta blishment Of
a sound principle and correct system
rather than the present control Of
little patronage which will probably
prove detriment instead of a benefit
to the party.
THE DEATH OF GOVERNOR GRAY.