Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-09

the government, and the courts are al
ways within reach for the protection OF
persons and property.s
Opposes overcapitalization.
Regarding overcapitalzation the gov
ernor is very firm. 1T Is not simply
the question Of protection to the inves-
tor" he declares. THE power to issue
stocks and bonds and to invest in the
securities of other corporations is de-
rived from the legislature. and the power
of the state should be exercised to pre-
vent the improper issue of securities. SO
that there shall be no motive for Gripping
the public service and no basis for de-
manding extortionate returns.
In other respects Gov. Hughes favors
concentration Of power. The paramount
need is to make it more largely respon-
sble government" he says, land the
election of all administrative heads and
members Of commissions would tend. in
my judgment, greatly to increase the
difficulty Of securing responsible govern
ment. On the other hand, the people
take a deep interest in the selection of a
chief executive. In connection with this
office public opinion asserts itself to the
largest degree with reference to the Sc
lection of candidates. A system which
fixes upon the governor responsibility
ment and clothes him with corresponding
power is the system which, in the long
run, will insure to the people the best ad-
ministration. Without this concentration
there is no real responsibility: without
it we cannot justly hold the chief execu-
iva IA his dine adU1iniStr2-
tion of the government. We fail to enjoy
what the English-speaking race prides IT.
self upon-responsible government.
THE objection that is most seriously
urged is that it increases the political
power of the governor. but l believe that
to fix the responsibility with the govern
or thus making him directly accountable
to the people for the administration OF
important departments, will do much to
free administrative Offices from improper
political control, and will create pow
erful incentive toward efficient admins
tration. The governor cannot escape &C
counting to the people for the misuse of
his power. His term of Office is only two
years. The broader his powers the more
careful the people will be in his selec-
ton. It. Is mistake to distrust the peo-
pie"
Interference in Politics.
Gov. Hughes is very strong in his views
on the non-interference of public officials
with politics. In one of his speeches he
says: The American people must set
the democratic ideal of Office. which is
that the officer is not chosen to give him
an opportunity for personal advantage.
but to do certain things defined in the
Constitution and statutes to the best of
his ability. In connection with the larger
part of administrative work there Is no
the controversies nf n0ittiCai
platforms"
II am frequently asked to express ap-
prevail or disapproval of party action or Of
political candidates. he says. Should I
do so it would be fairly incumbent upon
me to pronounce upon such actions or
candidates. in advance. If such respon-
sibility be assumed 1t must be accompa-
MED by action. If such course is taken,
either the governor-and he cannot sep
arate from his office-will be in undis-
become party boss. or he will be in
volved in continual contests for the main
tenance of his political influence and
prestige Now I do not aim to be party
ing my term. The only alternative to
the course 1 have criticised is to divorce
the governorship from all controversies
that do not concern the office. 1t Is OF
great Importance, in my Judgment, that
the discharge of the duties OF governor
at political management And party
| man will serve his party best in Office
| by adhering strictly to his duties and
| maintaining the highest standard Of I'm
| partial administration.
Efficiency the Sole Aim.
"Those whom have appointed to Of
/ five have been counseled to have sole re-
gard for the efficiency Of the work Of
their departments. I have asked no mar
for favors, but, on the contrary, have
constantly insisted that the work Of the
| government shall be carried on exclu
| sively in the interest of the people. I,
has been said that I regard political &C
| tivfty as a disqualification for office
| Now, no cause can be advanced without
| hard work, and it must be the object o.
Jealous devotion. I esteem those who, II
an honorable manner, work for the party
| Political activity, by virtue of the expe
rience and knowledge of affairs gained IL
| 1t, so far from being a dsqualthca
ton. may be a most important qualifica,
ton for Office. But I want that politica
| activity to be Of such a character as t.
leave man free and independent in thu
dignity Of his manhood to perform the
duties Of his Office, If appointed. unem
barrassed by improper influences and un
] affected by obligations"
| can find nothing in the speeches o.
| Gov. Hughes concerning the; tariff, ant
| cannot say whether he is ."standpat
| ter or a revisionist. but an intimate
| friend tells me that he is in favor of re
! as low as Is consistent with the reve
nues of the government and the protec
ton of American capital and the mainte
| nance of the high standard of wages nov