The Washington herald., 1909-01-04
MONDAY. JANUARY 4 1902
GOV. Hughes Inaugural.

Gov. Hughes reputation as a political
educator is further enhanced by his in
auguraI address. a brief utterance fun
OF sound political doctrine. and breathing
a high spirit Of patriotism and devotion
10 pubic duty. It is devoted mainly 70
an exposition Of the functions of state
government. and Of the respective rels-
tons thereto Of the executive, legislative,
and judicial departments. The powers
exercised by these departments cannot be
separated with logical exactness, says the
governor. for the courts sometimes per
form administrative functions. and the
executive has an important role 70 per
form in legislation. Gov. Hughes rather
emphasizes this role. for he has been
most severely criticised for his zeal in
behalf OF legislative measures. the op-
ponents Of which think he went beyond the
legitimate exercise Of bis authority n
going over the heads OF the legislature
20 the people. But the governor shows
that the veto power contempIates that
the executive shall pass Judgment upon
al legislation. and that his Judgment
shall finally control unless opposed by
t7vo-thirds OF the membership Of the legIs-
laiure- Yet Fl is not his constitutional
function 20 attempt by use Of patronage
or by bargaining with respect TO bills. TO
secure the passage Of measures he ap-
proves" But it is his prerogaGvs %
recommend legislation. to state reasons
for his recommendation. and IT IS his
privilege TO justify his position 10 the
people 20 whom ne Is accountable. IN
this way the executive encourages the
sway Of intelligent public opinion over
the various operations Of the government
It Is evident that Gov. Hughes has no
intention Of departing from his policy OF
direct appeal 10 the people for the sup
port Of such legislative measures as he
recommends. Notwithstanding the cheap
cry Of executive usurpation raised
against that method. it is. after all. a
democratic method. Il is way Of Civ
ing effect 70 the popular voice that is
one Of the most conspicuous features OF
our striving for better government All
over the country strong executives are
fighting the battle Of the people against
corruption inrrenched in legislatures and
municipal councils. Il is R00seveIt-s way.
il IS going 70 be Taft's way. as he has
very promptly and emphaticsIIy shown. It
Is The wsv OF Ia Toilette and Folk. and
johnson. and even in corrupted Pitts
burg there is. fortunately. an incorrupt-
fble mayor about whom the better eIe-
ments Of citizenship may rally 20 clean
Up a disreputable popular assembly
Everywhere the people turn instiactively
70 tEe executive rather than the IegisIa-
live branch fer true representation Of
their VIII and their aspirations. # there
are any who think this tendency is 60
ing too far. that the undue exaltation Of
the executive tends toward Imperialism
or autocracy. let them urge upon the
people the Importance OF maintaining a
higher standard Of legislative capacitv.
Of freeing popular assemblies from the
domination Of bosses and political ma
chimes. and OF restoring TO them their
proper force and authority as legislative
bodies truly representative Of the people
We have no doubt Gov. Hughes would
much prefer to work with an assembly
Of patriotic and intelligent men devoted
solely 10 the public veal Mr.. Taft. ike
wise, would be happier If It were not
necessary 10 threaten. cajole. and dicker
with the two Houses Of Congress in
order 10 effect the execution Of a plain
popular mandate It is up to the people
10 make our legislative bodies once more
true agencies Of government. and not mere
instruments Of partisan ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
or tools Of corporate interests.