The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-12-03

try. That is n reason why the
commission plan came into exis-
1t was intended to centralize
authority and thus endeavor to bring
about better appointments. On the
whole It seems to have given reason
able satisfaction as an improved
method.
In the opinion of The Republican,
the plan most likely to diminish the
political distribution of the minor
state appointments is to put more.
appointive power in the hands of
he governor. If he were required
to choose all the state officials except
the lieutenant~goyernor. there would.
be a fair chance that he would con-
slider the fitness of applicants. For
when he is to be known as respon-
sible for the filing of these state Of
fees, there would be general dis,
position to hold him accountable for
the character Of the service result
ing TO the state.
In other words, the short ballot
ought to make some improvement
in the, state officials in which the
public is not Interested and with
whose work the public is not famil-
lar. AS 1t is now the candidates
for these places are in many. cases
chosen for the PURPOSE Of giving
strength to the head OF the ticket
Even granting that political con-
siderations might influence their
lselection by the governor after his
election, there would be less danger
of 1t than when these men are select
ed in the preparation for a campaign.
l%ta4sa 49, -AIfsf Rltf - i.A ztkt - zNSSfIEvAT-
IT is true enough that no system
will bring about q perfect govern
ment. For, If the government is
made to source itself in the people,
sthen Its character will be determined
by the Interest and intelligence with
which the people direct the machin-
cry placed In their hands. But that
only suggests the stronest reason
why the voters should not choose
the minor state officials. They never
have been interested in them and
the presumption is that they never
will take an interest in them. What
Ithe voter does negligently or indif-
ferently or ~ignorantly he had better
not do at all. That is The main rea-
son why the short ballot is logical.
D4s<@
The ship-load of Christmas gifts
for child victims Of the European
war is one of the finest exhibitions
of neutrality this country has made.
For every one of the belligerent
countries in Europe will share in
1.-THE distribution Thus far not even
amy of the partisans over there have
suggested that the war spirit should
be manifested against the little chill.
dren. 1t Is splendid demonstra-
ton of the broad humanity that the
American people are capable of ex-
fpressing upon occasions.
A-eM
Kaiser Wilhelm is quoted by a
French prisoner in q hospital at
Metz az addressing the Frenchmen
there apd saying that he did not
despair Of seeing one day Germany
and France united by ties Of sincere
friendship. But he didn't say at
whose terms,
39s<E
Government forecasts indicate q
record-breaking acreage in wheat
for the United States next year. The
farmers must be aware of the fact
that there VIII be many mouths to
feed IN Europe next year.
3e<G
Pr6-German weekly newspapers
are appearing ina number OF iocali-
ties IN Ireland, But 1t is not record
ed that they include IN their lists any
irish hghting the Germans.
s5e>s<M
Two theaters at paris have decid-