The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-08-20
THE GOVERNORS VIEWS
Makes Statement Covering Some
state Matters

This question was put: Governor,
have you decided not to call a spe-.
cial session."
Governor Fletcher replied that he
had not SO decided; that in connec-
ton with the changes in the organic
law-our constitution-and the conse'
quent adjustment of the statutory law
to the organic, the material question:
involved is, Can there be an election
this fall without special session of
the legislature? In the consideration
OF that question thus far no material
obstacle has presented itself; but
some obstacle might present itself at
any time, and special session be-
come necessity; therefore no such
decision should be made.
"Well, Governor. If the necessity
for special session should present
itself, what subjects are there, IL any,.
that might properly be brought to the
attention of the legislature and act
ed upon at that time rather than go
over to the next regular session of
the legislature?"
In reply to this question Governor
Fletcher said the legislature might
consider the constitution as it now
reads relative to the election of
judges. and determine whether, unsi
der existing conditions, the best In
terests of the state would be advancs
ed by any action on its part In spe-
cial session. Upon being asked II, as
a member of the revision committee
which recommended the changes in
the constitution, he considered the
words "and oftener II need be- to be-
properly In the constitution at this
time he said that he had decided;
views ON that subject; however. re-,
presenting the executive branch of
the government, whose functions are
entirely separate and apart from the
judicial, but carry with them the
broad power. under certain condi-s
tions, OF appointing a court, he dds
not consider this question proper.
one for him to answer at this time. 4
He further said that the legislature
might with propriety, for all time, put
an end to the possibility OF condis|
tons arising similar to those which,
recently surrounded the state treasuri
er's bond, and make 1t impossible for.
q treasurer. as insurance commission
er. to first pass upon the condition of
an insurance company whose bond
no might later resent to the governor.
as surety for tho faithful perfor-il
nance of the duties of his office. The
Governor also further expressed II as
his opinion that there should be no
divided authority or responsibility In
any administrative department of thes
state--a condition which does eSist1
in this departmentment at this time.
Governor Fletcher further said that i
the legislature might with propriety
lay down the necessary machinery]
for the election OF United Statesi|
senator. for which the state now had
mono other than the general proyi-a
sion by congress for such states as
have yet had no meeting OF the legis..
lature. fsH s-f 70 -t 4
He further said that the legislatures
might with propriety change the pres
ent law for the election OF congress-
men, making plurality elect. rather
than majority as is now required I
Governor Fletcher also said the leg
islature might with propriety either
materially limit the powers of the at.
torney general or abolish the office.
entirely before there was an election
of another one. AS a member of the
legislature he voted for the creation
OF the office OF attorney general, on 4
the ground Of expediting the legal bust
ness OF the state. lessening the ex-
pense OF the judiciary department.
and advancing the interests OF the
state In general. But as O member
OF the legislature later. and as an ex-
ecutlve, he has become convinced \
that the action then taken on the
part OF the state in creating that Of
fee was a mistake; that this state is
not large enough to require such an
office. He doubts whether the legal
business OF the state has been expe-
dited, and he feels that the division
OF responsibility between the attor-
ney general and the states attorneys
has proved a detriment to the state;
but he is thoroughly convinced that
the expense OF the judiciary depart,
ment, In this connection, has been
materially increased. In the biennial
period OF 1901-19O2 the state had no
expense in the way Of salary for an
attorney general: the expense for this
office in the biennial period of 1913
1914 (if the Governor is correctly In
formed) exceeds $4,000. The ex-
pense for detective service for the BIZ
ennial term OF 19O1-1902 was in ex-
cess Of Sl,100; the expense for that
sort OF service in the biennial term
OF 1sl3-lS14 was in excess of s61,6O0,
making total expense in the attor-
ney-generars Office for 1913-l914 OF
approximately $4,000; the rate Of
the expense for detective service for
the entire biennial period. in the
same proportion as during the last
nine months. would produce a total
expense for The attorney generals Of
fee. and that which comes under his
NJ TI1A