Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1913-01-07

is ALWAYS Recognized as money well and
profitahly spent, but 1t must be fully
realized that much money has Deeh
spent in the past without securing the
results to which we are entitled, Tor
the reason that this money has been
spent in an unsystematfc and poorly
directed manner. The time Is doubtless
coming in the near future when, as a
result of state and national co-opera-
ton. great highways connecting distant
parts Of the country will unquestion-
ably be constructed. and 1t is matter
in whose early accomplishment we are
all extremely interested. 1t Is, never
theless. true that the state Is III no
condition at the present time to UNDER
take the extensive building OF roads
and bridges on any general scheme, and
that until such a scheme is worked out,
| 1t will be money poorly spent to con-
struct roads and bridges IN isolated
parts of the state without any regard
to a general plan for road building
which may be later worked out. I'M,
view of these considerations, 1t Is my
honest and SINCERE belief that no money
should be appropriated by the present
session of the legislature for road or
bridge construction in any county OF
the state, and that further development
along this line should wait during the
period to which have above referred,
IN which 1t seems necessary that we
halt for a moment, take account Of our
resources and allow the taxpayers to
recover in measure from the severe
strain of the last few years, before we
again launch heavily into the expendi-
ture Of money for the accomplishment
of even such a desirable purpose as the
one we are now considering. l would
suggest that you consider at this ses-
sion the idea Of creating a state high
way commission, the members of which
would serve without pay, and whose
duty 1t would be to investigate the gen
eral subject Of road and bridge build
ing In the state Of Idaho, either by the
state itself or In connection with other
states or the federal government, for 4
the purpose Of developing some general
scheme which may be put into opera
ton in the near future, and which will
have the effect Of securing us the kind
OF roads and highways which we must
eventually have II our state is to be
fully developed and its wonderful re-
sources made available for the supply
of our markets.
The Short Ballot Reform.
In order to make the government
more responsive to the will of the peo-
pie it is advocated in many quarters at
the present time that long step In
the right direction is the adoption of
the governmental change or reform
known as the short ballot. Under this
system the people of state elect only
very few of the most important off,
GERS, leaving the executive the power
to appoint, under proper restrictions.
~ other officers which may be pro-
vided for by law. There are many ar
guments in favor of this system
Under our system of primary nomi-
nations 1t is manifestiy impossible for
voters generally to acquire any idea of
the qualifications for office of the va
rious candidates therefor at primary
election, and difficult in the extreme for
them to reach any decision as to the
relative qualifications of the candidates
presented by the different political par
ties fer the various state offices. Vo-
tiers generally inform themselves as to
the qualifications of candidates for the
governorship, but it frequently happens
that they know absolutely nothing
about the qualifications of candidates
for the lesser state offices.
The remedy for this condition is To
provide for fewer elective Offices The
governor should be elected for term
of. four years, and he should be auth
orized TO appoint for the same term the
greater part, at least, of those officers
who are now elected at the general
election. Under this plan the governor
would be made directly responsible to
the people. and he would feel compelled
IN a bsa if3A.,
Of every man appointed by him to Of
flee, In order that his administration
might satisfy the just demands of the
people. Their control over his official
acts, and their means of enforcing the
large measure of responsibility thus
lodged in him should be provided for IN
some Just form of recall under proper
rules and regulations.
| earnestly urge, Therefore. thar you
seriously consider the short ballot re-
form, and that If the same meets with
your approval. you submit. for ratiti-
cation by the people at the next gen.
erai election such proposed amendments
TO our constitution as may be necessary
to provide for the election of the gov
ernor and the appointment by him OF
all officers which, in your judgment,
should not and need not be elected by
the people at general elections.
Non-Partisan Election of Judges.
There is a growing feeling among
our people that judges should be elect
ed In some non partisan manner, and
some have even gone so far as to advo-
cate that they be chosen at separate
non-paitisan elections The result
aimed at can be secured without re-
sorting to separate election, which it
is clearly the part OF wisdom to avoid
on account of the heavy expense Incl
dent 10 the holding of elections
Should you approve the suggestion it
might be provided by you that ali can
didates for judicial office should be
groupe' together in a separate column
under the designation of the office but
without party designation, and the vo-
tiers required to select therefrom. 1t