The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-10
BIGGER THAN GOVERNOR
The Lieutenant More Important Officer
Than the Governor.


Than the Governor.
To the Editor Of The Journal:
The. governor makers have now been
busy for some time to find material for
the next conflict. /. e., material salts
factory to the various interests From
my viewpoint T am unable to see that
the making or unmaking Of governor
nowadays is very important or respon-
sible job. In fact the governors power
is now so limited by the various boards
and commissions and since the last leg
islature has not even jurisdiction over
janitors and scrubwomen at the capitol,
80 that functionary's power for good or
evil seems to be very limited. \.
There is a place on the next state
ticket that is deserving of more notice
nowadays, which Is the second place on
the ticket-lieutenant governor. Most
people that haze no interest in special leg
islative Jobs have a notion that the lieu
tenant governor has very limited juris-
diction.
Should the governor for some reason
vacate his office the lieutenant governor
takes his place. He presides over the
senate when In session. These two func-
lions are the very least OF the powers
that office carries with 1t. As presiding
officer he appoints the committees Of the
senate. Those committees give the peo-
pie Of the state Just such laws as they
want themselves and the various inter-
ests they represent.
Such laws need not and are not always
what the people want or expect, but that
is a second consideration. The lieutenant
governor appointed the committees. He
knew who was wanted on the various
important committees. and the state
would get just such legislation as those
committees see At to give 1t. A little
perusal OF the legislative record for the
past session will illustrate these matters
far more tVs the point than I care to
take up your space with here
What has been said as regards neuten-
ant governor applies to the speaker OF
the house Of representatives. only no,
with quite as much force In this respect
that the personal makeup of the house
IS changeable every two years, whereas
the senate is more Of continuous body
and with lieutenant governor OF thei1
own choosing 1t will readily be seen that
state senate is on a smaller scale ar
imitation Of the United States senate
which, by the way, the people OF the
United States are now viewing with any.
thing but national pride and admiration
It must be evident to those people WHIT
read the struggles now going on between
our president ana tnac cOter1e OF Un1teC
States senators who advocate policies and
interests out OF harmony with the viii
and rights Of the American people, thai
II the lieutenant governor is in sympathy
with those interests referred to he has
the power, through his committees, eithe,
to block or advance such legislation az
he chooses.
There are good many matters thai
could be referred to that would show
very conclusively that the people Of Min.
nesota are not quite through with itt
housekeeping vet, SO In that respect We
are perhaps not much worse or better
Of our neighboring states.
Keep your eye on the lieutenant gov.
ernorship and the state capitol commits
sion will see to It that the governor vii
not hurt US very much. I'D. Benson.
Renyille. Mimi. Dec. 4. 1905.