Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-01

| public BODY, appointments Will De
materially Influenced by party at
tachments and dislikes, by private an
imosities and antipathies and partial
tiles, and will be generally founded
in compromises, having little to do
with the merit of candidates and much
to do with the selfish interests of indi.
viduals and cabals. They will be too
much governed by local or sectional
or party arrangements"
Speaking Of the executive. he says:
HE will be compelled to consult pub
lie opinion In the most important ap-
pointments and must be interested to
vindicate tho propriety Of his appoint
ments by selections from those whose
qualifications are unQuestionel and I'm
questionable If he should act other.
wise and surrender the public patron.
age into the hands of profligate men
or low adventures. it will be impossi-
blef or him long to retain public ia
vor. Nothing, no, not even the whole
influence of party, could long screen
him from the just indignation OF the
people. Though slow, the ultimate
award Of popular opinion would stamp
upon his conduct its merited infamy.
Last but not least, and greater
than all of them, summon that great
statesman and founder of Democracy,
Thomas Jefferson. the patron saint of
all parties, whose figure it is said,
comes down in history with the dec
laration of independence in one hand
and the title deed of Louisiana in the
other, the only man. dead or alive,
of whom it has been said, as it was
by the late Senator George F. Hoar,
that men of every variety Of opinion,
however far asunder. find confirmation
of their doctrine in him.
In a letter to Samuel Kerchival
dated July 16, 1866, Jefferson said:
| Nomination to office is an executive
function. To give it to the Legislature
as we do in Virginia is violation
of the principles of division of pow.
ers. 1t sewers the members from cor
rections by tempting them to intrigue
for offices themselves and to corrupt
ly barter for votes, and destroys re.
sponsibility by dividing it among a
multitude. By leaving nomination in
its proper place, among executive func
tons, the principle of the distribution
of the powers is preserved, and re
sponsibility weighs with its heaviest
force upon single head.
$50 that Independent of the ques
ton as to whether the power of ap
pontment actually exists under the
constitution it is evident that the pol
, icy of exercising it is altogether
wrong. and freighted with great pos
sibilities for mischief.
Refers to Other Measures.
Two years ago upon failure tc
secure legislation providing for the
appointment or election of two addi
tional justices of the supreme court
measure was brought forth providing
for the appointment of supreme
court commission by the justices Of
the supreme court. This measure, in
my opinion, had nothing to recon-
mend it except the fact that the su
!, preme court was in urgent need O.
some assistance. | could not, witt
= proper sense of public DUTY give IN!
approval to such measure believing
it to be an innovation upon the ex
ecutive branch of the government, bu
yielding solely to the general senti
f ment of the legislature and the su
! preme court. | suffered it to become
r a law without my approval believin,
that there would be no attempt t
p further encroach upon the salutar
;. principle which recognizes the distint
:. ton between the several department
, of government. But it seems that
: was in error in this assumption. W
= find not only this bill but three o
{ four others of like import Introduce
:. into the present session, and carrie
through various stages of considers
n ton creating new Offices of great in
a portance and naming the officers il
q the bills.
e Il should have been admonishe
j. then as | am determined now, so ia
f as my power as governor is concerned
e TO stop innovation in its early stage
for when the upstart thing grow
: strong from age no time nor strengt
r of tenets stops its rage If bills G
j. this character shall meet with the al
# prOval of the executive and becOm
laws, it is only question of time whe
r the executive, having sat supinely b
and seen the powers of his department
l. gradually destroyed and frittere
J. away, will be called upon to appro '
a bill providing for the appointment
e of the governor by the legislative a:
e sembly; and he would be obliged,
e seems, TO approve it or resign in f;
1t yor of some one who more fully al
preciated the responsibilities of his o
i fee and had the courage of his col
it victiOns.
er so far as l am personally concerl
ed, ! have no desire to exercise tn
power of appointment. The exercis
ID of this power is not always, indee
n not often, satisfactory or agreeabl
IS from a personal standpoint. 1t il
Or yariably leaves in it's train disappoin
ID ed ambitions and often lifelong an
)t mosities, but such considerations cal
not be taken into account or above
is to weigh the balance down against
IL constitutional duty. There are man
lie other things pointing to the duties I
" the executive which are far from bein
C. satisfactory or agreeable. but whiC
II nevertheless must be done.
y Duty to the State.
10 "The great debt which the legisl
IA ture owes to the people of MOntar
ct can be honorably and more worth
I'd paid than by vainly seeking to find 8
in office for every one of that vast mi
titude of deserving and patriotic ci
Al, zens who eagerly seek such apOpiI
AZ mentS.
mt Nor can it be said that shall ha'
is fairly discharged my duties to Il
Sc people by merely dispensing Offici
nd favOrS to those who with their pc
mt tons and opportunities daily lay sic
We TO the executive office. Appointil
W. to office is only part of my dut
he Has the trust been abused? Can
hn III thnt hp, to- th~