New-York tribune., 1901-01-21

his desk because of sickness. He warned that
he might expect fatal results If he did not take
a prolonged rest. but his duties were urgent and
the warning unheeded simply because every
temporary absence from his office made his bur
dens more OnerOus when he returned his desk.
The penalty for application resulted, predicted.
in his death
Those who are familiar with the duties Of the
office do not hesitate charge the fatality which
attends the incumbents To the manifold duties.
many of which are unnecessarily placed upon the
Executive, and all Of which might be made much
lighter were it not for the nconsidcrate demands
that made upon him The Legislature is
primarily to blame for many OF the burdens that
attach to the office, Under the Constitution the
Governor is an executive officer, and the makers
of that instrument did regard him in any other
light. The Legislature has only added To mis-
duties as an executive officer but has made him a
ministerial officer well and every session wit
nesses new duties added 10 his office For instance
he is member Of the Finance Board and every
question thut comes up regarding the States
finances must be submitted him He is therefore
called into consultation on hundreds of questions
that affect the treasury, and the fact that he is
Governor and all responsibility may be placed on
him otter leads to throwing all the weight upon
his shoulders In the last few years the Treas
urer has done nothing without first consulting the
Executive and, in far payments of interest
Of bonds and Of other State obligations is con
cerned he Is, to all intenis and purposes, State
Treasurer well Governor.
Another onerous duty which has been placed on
him. and which was MT contemplated when the
Constitution made him executive officer is ser
vice on the Board of State Tax Commissioners.
The Board must fix the assessment of all corporate
property. railroad. telegraph telephone, sleeping
car, express and other companies, must cquaZe
the taxes between the several counties of the State
and must do many other things that belong to an
administrative and not to an executive office He
is made president of the Board, and. of course
must assume the leading part in the work. not be-
& cause he is better qualified BY tr' lining or study
sessions Of the Board are held in lly and August
and continue about forty days Thus the Execu-
@ sHe Is h pi IN me CITY IN me hottest part OF the
the dull routine of official hfe
Besides these duties, every subordinate official
consults him before taking any important action,
and while the law should be the guide for the Of
fcer, the Governor thus becomes the interpreter
OF the statute, and investigation and study of
questions wholly who foreign to his his office must be
sioners consult him about all differences between
spector must see the Gov'rnor be ore investigat-
ing charges against any OF tn, numerous
lines; the Mine Inspector calls to consult him be-
ment of mining laws; the factory inspectors not
wlthstanding the laws are plain. must have the
in any given case. and thus every moment OF his
time is taken up i'm the considera ton subjects
that, while not belonging to the office have been
gradually re egated T. IT, III the Executive must
for the duty will take upon himself the RESPONSE
But it is not from such cases alone that the most
worry comes to the Indiana Executive. No sooner
is he elected than he becomes bodVs man
and every one feels that he has perfect right to
demand his services in any line that suits his
whims or his convenience. and from this comes a
large number Of duties which rot duties but
Executive to the people of the State Though he
may know nothing of sheep, hogs, cattle and the
like from practical point of view he Is expected
10 address the Swine Breeders Association the
Wool Growers Association. the Jersey Cattle
breeders Association, the Pacing and Trotting
Horse Breeders Association and many others
which hold meetings in this city each year Though
not school teacher he must address the Teachers
Association and, tho ugh never having been on the
road in his life, he must address the Commercial
Travellers Association. He IS expected TO Cpen the
Art Institute, though he knows nothing of art; to
knows nothing Of the science of road making and
talk to the Tin Gamers Association though his
cook knows more about canned goods than he could
possibly know
All OF these subjects require thought and study
for he would not wish to go before association
time Is spent on addresses that ought TO be de-
voted to matters directly connected with office
and which, if attended to. might give oppor-
tunity for healthful recreation when completed.
u was Just such duties the compliance with such
demands. that left Chase. Matthews and Mount
without time for recreation and that hastened the
day OF collapse. All Of them complained TO Intimate
friends OF the incOnSiderate deman made upon
heir time. yet each 1elt that these demands must
oe complied with. because IL had become "a custom
of the office
An attempt made years ago to relieve the
governor to some extent by appointing a Board of
Parole for the prisons, but this has taken little
work OH the office, for he consider such an
phcations himself. and there Ia hardy day In the