Barton County democrat., 1914-12-25
WHAT HENRY ALLEN THINKS
Kansas Has No Strong Arm of
State-GOvernor Can Start
A Conversation.

| ~ @A@@~t = 0@@NN AA
could get the machinery at worl
OF Kansas governmental system
The state has no strong arm
OF government" says the Wichita
editor last week. ITS all tongue
Take the governor. He has about
as much real power as a county
commissioner, except perhaps
that ne can appoint a few superin-
tendentS and notarieS public, del
egateS to various conventions and
congresses, and veto legislation.
But not thing can the gov
ernor of Kansas start except a
conversation. Perhaps that is the
reason we have so much spare
conversation in our state"
The silent Mr.. Allen would have
the county attorneys appointed by
tne attorney general, pointing out
that the reason criminals fear the
federal courts is largely because
the federal courts take their in
StructionS from the headquarters
OF the national department at
Washington, and need not depend
upon their personal popularity
with the people of the district for
election or reelection.
Appoint County Attorneys.
Then, too" Mr.. Allen points
out" the county attorney is not
local official. He represents the
state. Every action he brings is
in the name of the state. Why
should the state moi appoint him?
The government of Kansas has
no power to enforce the laws of
the state as long as the county
attorneys hear only the voice of
the people in their own counties" {"
The ballot needs shortening,
Mr.. Allen continues.
"On the state ticket" he declar-
ed, 81 would vote only on COVER
nor, lieutenant governor, justices
of the supreme court and MEM
bers of the legislature. Why
should we elect clerks and office
help and members of boards,
anyway? These ought TO be ap-
pointed on the basis of efficiency
as expert clerks instead of elect
ing statesmen.
I'VE can get carloads of COM
petent expert clerks at a big saw
ing in the salaries we now are
paying to statesmen and politi-
clans for these clerical positions.
Business Methods Again.
"Why not apply The same mod
ern business efficiency to our
state government that we do in
our business affairs. Take the
same thing on down into county
court houses. Why elect a lot of
politicians at high salaries to do
the work that should be done by
good, competent clerks, who could
be hired for less salaries and do
the work more efficiently?
Instead of electing a county
clerk, county treasurer, register
of deeds, district clerk, and a half
dozen other clerks | would, if |
had my way, elect three men at
large who would hire what cIer-
ical help is needed in the court
basis of competency and eff
cheney, and under civil service.
Wed be getting something for our
money then.
Probate Judge A Clerical Job.
IN our county we spend $4,000
a year on Probate Judge. 1t is a
dead waste. Every controverted
question goes to the district court
anyway. All we need is a clerk
to do the clerical work of that Of
flee at Sl,SOO a year. Transfer
him to the district clerks office
and transfer the duties of the pro-
bate court to the district Judge.
you say our district courts
are too busy now. Well they may
be in this county and some of the
larger, but in most counties there
isn't enough TO keep the judge
busy a third of the time. I'd elect
the district judge without refer
ence to districts and let them
work under the supreme court
court where they are needed.
Then every judge would earn his
salary and he'd feel better, and
the tax payers would be saved
thousands of dollars.
Too Many Legislators.
"Then I'd change the legislative
system. Our Legislature is too
big. We send up a LOT of men to
Topeka every two years who