Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-10-23

Moses Alexander would have us
understand that all that is needed is
TO elect him governor and he can
save a million dollars the first year,
TO the taxpayers of this state. APP
Mr.. Alexander thinks there
is no limitation to his power, no con-
provisions in the way, no
legislative enactments. No one has
yet discovered that Mr.. Alexander has
a keener mind that Ex-Governor Haw-
ley. Here is what Mr.. Hawley said
in his speech in Coeur d'Alene on Oc-
tober /, 1914:
Many imagine that the Office
of governor confers great power
upon the incumbent. 1t does in
vest him with grave responsible
ity. 1t gives him great power in
certain directions, but in matters
affecting reform in the admins
tration of our state affairs, in
matters affecting taxation and
the maintenance of the state gov
ernment and state institutions,
he has about as much to do out
side of making suggestions to the
legislature, as the man and
woman within this government
have to do with the government
of China. He can make sugges-
tions if he has friendly legisla-
ture But it is the legisla-
ture, and the legislature alone,
that is responsible for the appro-
priations made to our different
boards of control, and our differ
ent offices and tax rate, and the
amount paid by the citizens for
carrying on the affairs of state
is determined by these appropri-
ations made by the Legislature,
and not by any act of the gov
ernor himself"
Contrast this statement with the
claims of Moses; one is the state
ment of a man who has been COVER.
nor; one is a statement of one whC
hopes to be governor by hoodwinkinf
the people into believing that this
governor has power to do the impos
sible. Mr.. Alexander would have vi
believe that he can "yank out" off
cials enough to save million dollars
He couldn't "yank ont" any official
whatever. He could not discharg
elective employees, let alone abolish
ing their offices. He could not abol
ish an appointive Office for the ar
pointive Offices are fixed by state Law
He might refuse to make appoint
ments to fill these positions, in whic
case the incumbent would draw hi
nay until his successor was appointe'
Mr.. Alexander could not abroga;
any provisions of the constitution
nor could he declare null and vol
any act of the legislature undt
which appointive offices exist.
Saying that Alexander had legi
lature which would submit constitl
tional amendments by which constiti
tional offices could be abolished, su
mission to a vote of the people won
take two years, the term in viii
Mr.. Alexander would have US belle
he could "yank out" not only the G
ficiaIs occupying these offices, but t
offices themselves. Taking it I
granted, however, that Moses Alexa
der, ordained by heaven or some mo
than human power, could abollsn
ery appointive official and departme
in the state, then let us see how
Mr.. Alexander would come from 81
ing his vaunted one million year.
A report from the state audito
office. showing the expenditures ms
by appointive Offices, shows from !
tober /. 1912, to October !, Il
there was spent by the appointive
ficials the sum of $2sS, ,O3o.Z9
from October /, 1918 to October
1914 the sum of $3O9, ,281.98.
The state educational board was
pointed following the legislative
actment of 1913. This Legislative
actment was made upon the adopt
of q constitutional amendment by
voters of this state authorizing
act. The change was made BY
Deople who felt that the educatiS
affairs of the state would be be
conducted by a central board than
local boards. The change was m
IN response TO AlFSGN PoDAA~ -
ment which desired change IN
workings of the states educati'
system. For the period 1913, VI
October /, of that year, the
educational board spent $2,597.16.
Oct. /, 1918, to Oct. l, 1914,
educational boards expenses
s12. .2sO. .92. The public utilities
mission was appointed following
Legislative enactment of 1913.
act creating it and the tax com
sion was passed in direct resF
to public appeal. Mr.. Alexander
one of the most active suppOrtel
this legislation. and one Of the
elamorous citizens in this state
public utilities commission Foi
six maath psried between the u
ths Publie utSlitisa eemniaaien'