The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-03-04

isting law, the governor subsequently
the nomination of a
board to be confirmed by the senate.
Under this law so enacted, the gov
ernor appointed two we'll known DEM
ocrats of high standing and character,
and one well known republican of like
standing and character, who exercised
their functions of appointing county
commissioners with singular freedom
from partisan and factional bias, and
uninfiuenced by any other motive than
that of securing honest elections. The
result has been highly satisfactory to
the people of both political parties, and
the purity of ballot box has been safe
guarded and protected with utmost
fidelity.
In cities where fraud had been noto-
rious, elections have been conducted
without suspicion of corrupt practice
at the polls, and the will of the people
under this law, has been accurately
and honestly recorded.
My own opinion has always been,
and is now, that the governor should
not have the power to appoint commits
sioners of election for the counties. That
the power is too great for any one man
to exercise, and the legislature wisely
took it from the executive, when it
passed the law which is now sought to
be amended.
If this bill, which further takes away
the power of the governor to even ap-
point the state board to be confirmed
by the senate and provides for the elec-
ton by the legislature, was in good
faith with the people, and democratic
measure for the protection of the ballot
box, it would receive my approval.
But not proposed as democratic
measure, being without the sanction
and against the protest of majority Of
the democrats, both in the house and
senate, and passed by the republicans
in active coalition with the minority Of
the democrats, | refuse to sign it.
Beard.
Under the provisions of this bill, thu
board is TO consist of three members
two democrats and one republican
one member of the board to be elected
for two, one for four and one for SIX
years.
The objection which naturally sl1g
gests itself is to the length of terms o
these members. Why should the leg
isature elect persons to offices of thi
character for longer period than TIVE
years?
Elections held under authority o
this board may be honest, or they ma,
be dishonest, and yet two of thes
members have tenure of office, ON
for four and the other for six years
without the power of removal, and re
sponsible to no authority whatever.
Is it right thus to bind the people il
their political affairs, and to afford n
redress? Is it not opposed to the yer,
essence of popular government?
The bill further provides that if tn
legislature is not in session, and va
cancy should occur in the board,
shall be filled by the other members
but if two vacancies should occur, the
shall be filled by the comptroller, treas
urer and secretary of state.
No legislature before has ever bestow
ed such power upon these state official
whose duties, under the constitution
and specific, and with no reference
political matters.
Was this done because it was proper
or did another motive prompt this les
islation I?
Vacancies are usually and properl
filled by appointment of the governo
who is elected by, and responsible t.
the people, and not by officers of inf
rior importance, who are not so electe
and responsible.
1t is rather an anomaly that the goN
ernor who, under our scheme of gov
eminent, can in case of vacancies, al
point comptroller and treasurer, 81
preme and inferior judges, and Uni
ed States senator, shall have the accu
toned and acknowledged right ignore
as is done by the bill under considers
tion.
Ispeak for the office of governor an
that alone, for its dignity and the r.
spect which is due as the first an
highest in the gift of the people, whe
say it can suffer no humiliation frol
the hands of a minority of democrac
who have apparently abandoned an
sacrificed their own party by joinin
with republicans in a political allianc
From this unlawful union we ma
reasonably expect election force bill
+ and other mdemocratic offspring.
What | have said in my veto me
sage of senate bill No. 270, in regard
the right of democrats to nomina
, their own members on the primal
board to be elected by the general a
sembly, and the republicans to lill
wise nominate, applies equally to Il
state election board, and as this rigl
, is not given or conceded, but republ
cans are apparently to be allowed
hold and exercise the balance of pow
q in electing the democratic members.