New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-13
GOVERNORS IN SHARP
DEBATE OVER RECALL
O'NeaI of Alabama and Wilson
of New Jersey Clash at
Spring Lake.
SOUTHERNER is OFFENDED
But Explanation Soon Follows
Divorce Evil Attacked at
Conference of State
Executives.
LIZ. raesranh To The Trihune.


Snring Lake. y. D.. Sept ia sharp. al
most acrimonious. debate between Governor
o'Neaf OF ALabama and Governor Wilson
of New Jersey over the relative merits Of
the initiative. referendum and recall. which
ended by the Alabama Governor abruptly
leaving the convention hall after warm
reply To the No.v Jersey executive, was one
of the Incidents of the afternoon session Of
the Governors conference which opened
here to-day.
Mr. O'Neal afiervard said that Governor
Wilson had treated him unfairly in his
reply After the con ference adjourned for
the day. however the New Jersey eXecu-
live went TO the Alabama Governor ana
said he had apparently misunderstood MS
remarks. as he had TO intention of, Offend
ing him.
Governor O'Neal in his address on
STRENGTHENING the Powers OF the EXecu-
tive" had said that the initiative. refer
cadum and the recall weakened the power
II the executive. the recall subjectins an
elected officer to the capriceS Of a majority
Governor Wilson took exception to the Ala
hama Governors statement regarding the
caprices Of the majority and cited the gov
eminent of Great Britain as an example
or how people can iEtNt d N"4'S III TIC 'Oii
duct Of their affairs.
Governor ONcal retorted that this COM
parison was moi genuine, as the people OF
England when appealed 10, did not vote
on any questions but merely selected men
10 represent them.
II believe i'm representative government.
said Governor O'Neal. q am as much
opposed 10 the tyranny OF the majority as
10 tho tyranny of king. If you recall
Judges from the bench. except on well
founded charges. I say YOU institute mob
rule in this country
Governor ONeal opened the afternoon
session bv reading a paper in which he
said the powers of the Governor should be
hroadened. if ne were TO he held respon-
sible for carrying out the laws Of the state
lie said i'm part:
II is gratifying to know that the modern
tendency in the United States has con-
stanrlv been 10 give the Chief Executive
greater independence and 10 increase MS
capacity to obey that mandate found IN
every state constitution TO take care that
the laws he faithfully executed
But there is another movement that
seems TO he gathering strength IN certain
sections Of the Union which tends TO
weaken rather than strengthen. executive
authority, and that j. the system OF
Initiative, referendum and recall. II is
manifest that II the people can frame ana
enact laws without the aid or Intervention
OF tho Governor or Legislature that to
that extent their control over legislation
&c DESTROYED The Governor has no power
TO veto or amend a law initiated by the
people and adopted by referendum.
Would Endanaer the Courts.
II the Law is i'm violation of the constitu-
ton invddes vested rights, or destroys in
diVidual liberty. the only remedy can he
found in the courts, and where the system
Of recall of judges prevails. overthro"lng
as II does the independencc Of the ludl
cisry. tine courts would no longer furnish
= bulwark Of defence against arbitrary
poWer o. the tyranny Of the majority. but
would degenerate into tribunals organized
chiefly 10 register popular judgment ON all
The Judge who annuls law enacted by
the people. where the recall prevails, would
he very apt 10 forfeit his office. Yet. as
"X-JuStice Brown recently declared before
the American Bar Association, judge who
lacks the courage to render an unpopular
decision is unfit for the bench
After some of the Governors had spoken
Informally ON tho subject of Governor
O'Neal's paper. Governor Wilson replied IN
part. as follows:
Governor O'Ncal was discussing the Civ
ing OF the power 10 the Governor To see
mat the laws are really put into effect, but
the ADMINISTRATION OF the laws IS not the
whole matter \ very important thing
iNUudnenidNN important llllHS - l'i'
source Of tn, law. Some of the laws that
We have are had laws. and they are BAD
for q reason which connects itself with TINS
discussion. The people of the United states
want their Governors to bc leaders i'm ma
Tors Of legislation and they are more inter
ested IN that power Of the Governor than
tncy arc In the extension of executives
powers.
Tlc executive Of Great Britain under
likes 10 formulate practically all Of the
legislation Of the Kingdom. When the
legislature refuses TO follow il. II diSsOlVeS
the Legislature and goes 10 the people ana