The San Francisco call., 1903-01-23
Amendment to the Political
Code Passed at Last
Session Embraces
the Entire
Matter.

ALL HEADQUARTERS, SAC
n RAMENTO, Jan. 22.-Political
~ circles are agog tonight over a
- discovery, which seems to dis
pei the mysteries of the situation
in reference to the nominations of ex-
Governor Gage and the significant mac
tivity Of Governor Pardee and the Sen
ate in everything which concerns these
proffered appointments of the eX-Gover-
nor. Until tonight the political wise
acres were firmly Of the belief that before
the expiration of the present session OF
the Legislature either Governor Pardee
or the Senate. or both, must take action
upon the nominations presented by Gage.
II is now clear to those who are in the
secret that neither Governor Pardee nor
the Senate need move at all, and the
terms of the unconfirmed appointees Of
Ex-Governor Gage will expire by operation
OF law with the death of this legislative
session. This discovery has shed un-
expected light upon the entire situation.
1t is conceded that Governor Pardee,
politically shrewd and earnestly active
for a clean and capable administration OF
State affairs through subordinate officers,
realizes the tremendous advantage he has,
not only 10 avoid possible political mis-
takes but to insure to the State high
class administra tion of its affairs by per-
mitting the appointments of Ex-Governor
Gage 10 run their allotted time and leave
in the hands OF the present executive full
discretion as 10 what shall be done after.
With something of the sarcasm of fate
this grave power is placed in the hands
of Governor Pardee through the direct
agency and manipulation of his predeces-
sor. who secured an amendment TO the
Political Code providing that all guber-
material appointments which require SEN
atorial confirmation. when made in the
interim between the sessions of the Leg
islsture. shall be operative only until the
expiration Of the legislative session next
succeeding their creation.
PARDEE HOLDS WHIP HAND.
Governor Pardee, as far appoint
ments are concerned. therefore is master
Of the situation. A Republican Senate in
sympathy with his desire for a credita-
bic administration of public affairs on
the various boards and commissions is
bound by its obligations 20 the people to
sustain the executive.
The law as IL now stands gives-the chief
executive of the State a firm grasp on
the commissions. 1t is interesting to re-
call the fact that the Legislature of 1901
EltdAig Gllldi Etu NlA6 pAClOSdAANNS VI NAl1
Governor. The section of the Political
Code relating to appointment of sofficers
was amended to read as follows:
Section 1000 Whenever an office the ap-
pointment to which is vested in the Governor
and Senate, or in the legislature, either be-
which expires during the recess of the Legisla-
ture, the Governor has the power 10 appoint
pointed can only hold the office until the ad-
iournment Of the next session Of the Legisla-
ture.
When the foregoing amendment was un-
der consideration in the Legislature sew
eral of the Senators were apprehensive
that the legislative branch was conceding
too much power to the executive, but the
supporters of the amendment maintained
that the Governor. being responsible for
the management of State institutions and
commissions, ought to have ample scope
TO exercise supervising authority. The
amendment was fully discussed. 1t pass
ed both houses Of the Legislature and
received the approval of Governor Gage
on March Is, 1901.
GAGE had LAW PASSED.
Under this law Governor Gage ap-
pointed several State officers who must
be confirmed by the Senate. The terms
for which they were appointed, respect
lively, expire on the adjournment of the
Many leading men who had given close
study to the amendment contended that
Gage revived il in order to hold con-
trolling political influence over the COM
missions. 1t was set forth that he could
indicate to the appointees that they
would not be reappointed on the adjourn
ment of the Legislature if they failed or
refused to execute the programme for
subordinate appointments. 1t almost
goes without saying that the Commits
sioners would have accepted the slate,
knowing that if they rejected it they
would not be reappointed.
DR.. Pardee is now in a position to
avail himself of the power and advant-
ages conferred on the executive by sec
<tion 1000 of the Political Code, as amend
ed. He can permit the appointees named
by Gage during the last recess of the
Legislature to serve until some time next
March, when the present Legislature
shall adjourn. The law distinctly says
that the persons so appointed during the
recess can only hold until the adjourn
ment.
The situation in which Governor Par
dee is placed must be one that affords
him infinite satisfaction. He is not
obliged to concern himself with the ap-
pointments made by his predecessor. He
is not constrained to urge the Senate to
confirm or reject any appointment made
by Gage. All that he is called on to do
is to stand by and let the law takes its
course.
FORTUNE OF POLITICS.