The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-13

WANTS GOVERNOR TO
SIT IN LEGISLATURE
Ogden l.. Mills in Speech Urges
That the Executive Have
More Power.
BULL MOOSE AS GUESTS
Republican Harmony Affair in
Utica Addressed by Slim
son and Hedges.
BULL MOOSE AS GUESTS

UTICA. Feb. i2.-The Republicans Of
this city observed Lncoln's birthday ami
vrrsary Tonight by holding "A harmony
banquet and inviting members Of the local
, Progressive organization to hear Repubi-
can doctrine expounded BY ex-Sccretary
OF War Henry T, Stimson. Ogden l.. Mills,
treasurer of the New York county Repub-
lican committee; Job T. Hedges and
others. The affair was great success
in the opinion Of the projectors.
Nearly 500 Republicans and a sprink-
ling OF Progressives cheered the argu-
ments for harmony and party solidarity
advanced by Stimson. Mills. Hedges and
tho other speakers. Many Of the Pro-
gressives said afterward that they wished
to continue steadfast followers of Col.
Roosevelt's party.
ON the surface there was nothing to
indicate the breach that separates the
warning political elements unless 1t was
that certain leaders VI the Progressive
organization In Utica, who had been in
vited, were not present because Of pre-
vious engagements"
Mr.. stimsons speech consisted of q
tribute to Abraham Lincoln and a dis
cusslon of the principles for which the
martyred President stood This latter
phase of Mr.. Simmons subject afforded
| opportunity for the speaker to indulge in
AN argument for Republican solidarity.
job T.. Hedges discussed party AFFAIRS
| in the state and nation.
MIR. Mills attacked the initiative and the
referendum and urged reforms which in
his opinion would make the state Govern
ment more responsive TO the will of the
! people.
Mr.. Mills suggested fewer elective Offices
for the state, lie would give the Governor
more power, elect him for u longer term
| and make him more directly Responsible
10 the people not only for his own CON
duct but also FOR the conduct OF his
, appointees. lie would give the Governor
and his cabinet the privilege of sitting;
IL the Legislature. Introducing legislation
and participating in debates,
We Republicans OF to-day" he said.
are not confronted with the threatened
! dissolution Of our national Government
10y armed rebellion, but We are face to
face with Il countrywide movement which
! looks To the revolutionary Transforms
ton OF our form OF government from u
constitutional representative democracy TO
what IL popularity known as direct OF
pure democracy Such "A situation calls
Tor the very qualities which predominatei
IN the character of Abraham Lincoln"
MIR. Mills. after analyzing the functions
Of popular government In fulhlling the
| will of the people. said
There is to-day in this country Il
widespread feeling that both our parties
and our governments, particularly the
! state governments, have failed to pee
! form their respective functions. That this
belief is i'm the main justified few Will
question. The charges are made that our
| public servants no longer look TO the people
! who elected but rather to the party which
/ tad sh.,,, a. =
not responsive to the will OF Its men,
! beers but IL "A mere instrument OF the few
who control the machinery.
Mr.. Mills said that the true solution OF
the problem lies in simplicity rather than
complexty. and he suggested the follow
ing reforms:
THE most effective way of increasing
the dignity. the quality and the efficiency
of the government Is to diminish the num-
Der of elective offices. The Executive
must appoint the heads of all departments
and must be held strictly accountable TO
the people for the quality OF his appoint
inents and for the acts of his subordi-
mates. This change would not only en-
able the voter TO make his selection on
election day with sounder judgment but
TO fix with absolute accuracy subsequent
responsibility.
His term of office should be length
ened say TO four years. and under such
circumstances II would be entirely proper
to give the people the option OF demanding
special election az the end OF two years
10 decide whether the incumbent should
he continued in office or n new Governor
elected.
ct would give the Governor and his
cabinet seats In the Legislature, with a
right to initiate legislation and TO take
part IN debate. The presence of the Chief
Executive while adding to the dignity OF
the Legislature would serve the further
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