The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-28

SEATTLE, SUNDAY, FEB. 20.
prssyc.nprse THE CONSTITUTION.

II Is stated in the dispatches from olyrn-
Tia that the private secretary OF Gov
T.egers has made the announcement that
TIE governor does not propose 10 make
any appointments 10 osElcs until after tho
legislature has adjourned. THE Is GER
iainly very ;srnsrksbls and almost rev
olutlonary attitude for the governor TO
assume TIE power 10 make APPOINT
raents 20 Office is no. nm absolute prerog-
atssa Of the chief executive efiicer Of the
state. II is a power which. unGer the
constitution. he can only exercise con-
Jointly with tie senate. Artieis 3lIL OF
tie constitution contains the following
provision &c 20 tse s.ate institutions:
'''The regea;s, trustees og commissioners
Of all such Institutions existing Of the
time % the adoption Of this constitution,
and o. such ss shall thereafter be estab-
linaea By law, shall be app1iatsd By the
governor. ay and with the advice and
consent OF tho senate. and upon all nom
nations made By fhs governor the aues-
tion shall be taken by th- ayes and nays
aud entered upon the Journal"
This mandatory provision OF the consti-
tuition the governor. II is announced. pro-
poses 70 entirely disregard. and re in-
tends 70 usarp 70 himself tho sole power
OF making such appointments. What
possible object tie governor has In view
ln this revolutionary course Is difficult 20
iaaKine. II be fears that hls appoint
mants viii not be satisfactory 10 the SEN
- -fAFnb a. cont rolled F,g his .trsfnf, as
soclates. that may explain. while II does
not excuse. his course. for the precise OBJ
Jet OF the constitutional provision Is that
no appointments not satisfactory to the
senate shall be made. The limitation on
the appointing power IL made 20 pro-
toct the people against improper appoint
ments.
n governor can held up all appoint
ments or any appointment until after the
legislature adjonrn=. he can thus defsa,
the very object OF the constitution. and
take into his sole hands an appointing
power which the constitution declares
he must share with the senate.
II Is 10 % hoped. FOR thu credit OF the
state. that the governors private seers-
tary speaks without authority. or that
the governor may change his mind on
this matter. The appointments which the
governor has IN view must be bad indeed.
II he cannot trust his party associates
20 confirm them or /; he fears 10 have his
party enemies discuss them.
The announced purpose OF holding up
nominations is because the legislature
may elect TO abolish the osaces. The les
ssiature can DO so. II Il desires, as readily
after the Offices have been filled by Pop
ultst appointments as when they are filled
hy Republican appointees holding over.
or when they are vacant. as Is the case
VITA quito a number OF Offices. The an
ticlpation OF possible legislation ls 10 ex-
cese for proposed violation OF the CON
stitutlon.
Already the governor has delayed in
the matter longer than he should have
done. II he desired 60 keep within the
spirit an well as the letter OF the eonsti-
tuition. TIE state senate Is not only en-
titled 10 "a voice In the selection ot ap-
pointed officers. but Il Is entitled 70 a
reasonable length OF time In which 20
consider and discuss thu character and
qualifications OF those nominated. that
there can re intelligent action In the mat
ter. To dump the nominations IN a lump
IN the closing hours o, the Legislators
Goes not afford the senate such sa opror-
tunity as the constitution contemplate.
and ~. senators would be forced 20 act
harriediy sad without proper 'nvestixs-
ton. Il thu nominations were even now
before them.