New-York tribune., 1909-01-02

lstrative officers from direct responsibility to
ue executive head OF the state. who Is directly
oon. division Of accountability which prac-
ucally results in real accounta bility to any
one lessons the proper stimulus to efficiency.
Responsibility to the people is the essential
safeguard of free institutions This does not
mean the election of all or even Of great num-
her of administrat tive officers for undue burdens
upon the electoral machinery would defeat Its
purpose. But II would seem 70 imply that dis
trihution of administrative powers should have
as its Correlative the proper Centrali lization or
responsibilities. It may fairly be said to require
that the executive authority. exercising the ap-
pointing power under whatever check. should he
responsible for administration and should have
the control upon which such responsibility must
GOVERNOR MUST NOT ACT ARBITRARILY,
The Governor is to take care that the laws
are faithfully executed" But with respect 70
this duty there are further limitations than
those involved in his relation to appontive
ofhC@rS II is part Of our system of government
that the laws in large measure are enforced
through officers locally chosen. To the Governor
IN certain cases is given the right to remove
local offlcers. but this is only upon charges
properly made and sustained after hearing
While the Governors exercise Of this jurisdic-
iI"n * not subject to review, ne in his province
IKE tho highest court Of the state in its prov
fnce, must not act CapriciOuSly arbitrarily.
huf In accordance with the rules and principles
governing his authority The Governor is as
muCn bound 70 support our constitutional sys-
TEN of local government far II provides
officers clearly proved 10 be guilty of serious
neglect or misconduct. The Governor haa no
night to use his power of removal to assert his
preferences or to attempt even temporarily TO
impose his will upon the community which has
chosen its officer. The appeal to him is the
necessary check to responsible govern
ment and must be justified by proof Of such
dereliction may be sufficient to make removal
Of the elected officer consistent with fGnda-
mental principles Of local self government.
II Is therefore obvious that 70 secure efficient
administration requires the cooperation Of
many forces. We must mainly rely upon the
constant work of the educational and moral
agencies which develop the public spirit that
is needed to support democratic government.
And We may make our governmental activities
mora responsive TO the sentiments thus inCu-
Gated hy such improvement Of our nominating
and electoral machinery will facilitate the ex-
press'0n of the popular will, encourage the more
active participation OF the people in their poltt-
iCal affairs. and thus make loss easy the dom-
nation Of selfish interests the protection ot
those who find proft in law breaking
There must also he emphasized the Importance
- tn" wise use of the appointing power a
counsel particularly needed in view OF the enor-
nous increaS" in administrative offices The
constitution provides that appointments and
promotions IN the Civil service shRlT@ he made
according 70 merit and fitness 10 he asCertaned
50 far as practicable by competitive eIamina-
tions Will" officers appointed by n" Gov
ernor or by the Legislature outside the
Civil Service rules, IL is obvious that merit and
fitness should be the first nsideraticn in these
appointments