The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1909-04-29
.HOU,E OF GOVERNORS
Body Formed on W. G. Jordan's
Plan to Meet This Year.
NEW IDEA IN STATE POLITICS
State Executives Will Take Up Cues
ton Of Uniform Laws-Their Rec
concentrations Expected to Influence

The important movement In Amert
ran politics for the organization of a
house of governors" begun over two
years ago at the close Of the Roose-
welt conference of governors In the
White House, recently made a great
step in advance and put itself in a
position for immediate action by the
organization Of an executive commit
tee Of five members. This committee
consists Of Governors Augustus E.
Wilson of Kentucky, Claude A. Swan
son of Virginia, Charles E. Hughes of
New York, Edmond F. Noel Of Missis-
sippi and James N. Gillett of Califor-
MIA. The first meeting will probably
take place in the early summer, and
the committee will arrange in advance
the subjects to be discussed and on
which uniform state legislation seems
desirable.
The movement began in March, 1907,
by the publication by William George
Jordan, formerly editor of the Satur-
day Evening Post, of a pamphlet en-
titled ''The House Of Governors. The
scope Of the plan was suggested in the
subtitle, "A, new idea in American
politics aiming to promote uniform
legislation on vital questions, to con
serve states rights. to lessen central
ization, to secure a fuller. freer voice
of the people and to make a stronger
nation" Mr.. Jordan at once entered
into correspondence with the govern
ors and found an instant response.
Over thirty Of them expressed their
cordial appreciation Of his plan and
their desire to cooperate with him.
There was no dissenting voice among
the governors. though a number did
not respond. The plan, which is re-
markably simple, can best be given in
Mr.. Jordan's own words:
1t is proposed that the governors OF the
.forty-siX states meet annually for a SEES
sion Of two or three weeks to discuss,
consult and confer on vital questions af-
fecting the welfare of the states. the uni
flying of state laws and the closer unity
of tie states as a nation. Tie house OF
governors would have. no lawlnaking pow
er. 10" should it ever aspire to such pow
er:: It's force would be III initiative, in
inspiration and in Influence. The govern
ors would seek to unite on a general basis
Va tlIp VII SlStl IteSliOliS L DG SuDIi11l-
ted to the legislatures of the respective
states in the governors messages. 1,
would seem that an august. %.digniied
body of forty-siX governors, representing
their states. with the l~awmaking power
of ~forty-siX legislatures behind them
should in time become en- inherent part ir
the American idea of self government
and a powerful factor for good in the
nation.
The method Of procedure Of this
body on a great question like a uni
form divorce law would be somewhat
as follows:
It is proposed that in the house of gov.
errors no majority vote should be binding
on the minority. SO no pressure would BIZ
brought to force legislation on unwilling
states. If twenty-five of the governors ii
q session of the house were to agree OF 6
general plan of divorce the governors thu.
concurring would suggest to their respec
tive legislatures the passage of a bill IL
accordance with the general recommenda