New-York tribune., 1909-01-02
GOVERNOR ALSO a LAwMAKER.

The executive power is vested in the Gov
ernOT. but he is also an important part Of the
Iaw-naking power OF the state This IS through
his power of veto After the final adjournment
Of the Legislature he has absolute control of the
bills left in his hands. and none may become a
law without his approval. During the legista-
tive session he has qualified veto. and despite
Il bills may become laws II tWo-thirdS OF the
members of each House so vote in the face Of
his objections. The plain intent Of the consti-
trtiOn IS that the SnVernOr shall express his
Judgment upon Legislative measures before him
and that his judgment shall control Unless the
measure is strongly supported that II counts
in its favor two thirds Of the members of the
legislative houses after HIS objections have for
mav been stated.
Legislature such matters 'as he shall judge OK
pedient" II is not his constitutional function
20 attempt by use Of patronage or by bargaining
with respect to bills to secure the passage "t
measures he approves. II is his prerngatlve 10
recommend and 10 state the reasons for his
recommendations. and. in common with all rep
resentatve officers II is his privilege 10 Justify
his position TO the people to whom he Is ac-
countable And the more closely he confines
himself to his province and discharges his
sponsibilitv within the limits assigned to him
the less confusion will there he in the working
Of our system and the more potent viii be the
SWAY Of intelligent public opinion over those
charged in their various Offices with the duties
Of representation.
While the Governor represents the highest
executive power in the state. there is frequently
observed a popular misapprehenslon as to its
scope There is wide domain of executive
or administrative action over which he has no
control or slight control. There are several
elected state officers not accountable to the
Governor who exercise within their prescribed
spheres most important executive powers. To
the Controller and State Treasurer are con-
fded administrati--e powers with respect to
financial matters The Attorney General Is
charged with duties appropriate 10 the enforce
r77ent of publ" rights through legal machinery
The State Engineer and Surveyor has important
no,vers with regard to tho canal improvement
and the only member Of the Canal Board aC-
o,,,ta t,la 10 the Governor is the Superintendent
oF public Works who has Il limited authority
,;,o commissioners of the Land Office are inde-
pendent of the Governor
REMOVABLE ONLY BY THE SENATE
The multiplication Of executive duties Incl
5a,t IN the vast and necessary increase in
e,ate activities has resulted in the creation
1 oF a largo number Of departments exercising
.5,,,irietrs,iyo powers OF first consequence to
rointnle-nt out in most cases the concurrence
,f ,b. Senate is necessary. The terms of these
officers are generally longer than the Governors
,.r,, And I'm their creation the Legislature
iii, few exceptions has reserved final admins
-rarive control the Senate in making the
baads Of departments, TO whose appointment the
Gnate.s consent is necessary, removable only
by If. ,,,- .;se-. e.-
.hot Of me federal government. The President
,broueh his Cabinet. has direct Contro "f the
LAT executive departments and administrative
et5cers though appointed with the concurrence
- tba senate are responsible t. the President
- ara removable by him. Yet II can hardly
sIluEI gnu .rat there is more reason to fear cen
The practice Of withdrawing appolntlNe admin