New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-20

Of the short ballot and believed the
Governor and his cabinet should sit in
the Legislature and answer questions
concerning public business put TO
them. This, he said. would result In
sort of perpetual grand jury. The
Governor, he said, should be the leader
in legislation.
Senator-elect Mills said he concurred
in all Pre- fessor Salt said. He went ont
"The very serious problem which
confronts us to-day is that of making
our state governments more responsi-
BILE, responsive and efficient, and so re-
store them 10 that degree of public
confidence which is absolutely essen
tial 10 effective government. Aside
from the increase Of efficiency and re-
sponsibility which can be accomplished
by diminution Of tho number Of cleo
tive executive officers and the conceu-
tration of the appointing power in the
hands Of tho Governor, many people
believe that closer relationship be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches will be highly beneficial.
Much, of course, can be accomplished
by the preparation and submission of
administration bills along the lines
suggested by Professor Salt, particu-
lsrly the submission by the Governor
Of an annual budget.
81 am one Of those who would 60 n
step further and establish direct re-
lationship between the executive and
legislative branches by giving to the
Governor and his department heads
soets in the Legislature, with the right
to take part in debate, though not to
vote.
There is no question in my mind
but that the presence Of the chief eN-
ecutive in the Legislature would not
only result in the passage OF wise ana
beneficial legislation, but would also fur
nish that cooperation and cohesive
ness so necessary TO the smooth run
ming of any intricate and delicate ma
chine.
Moreover. the Governor and his
cabinet should be under duty TO an,
swer. upon due notice being gwen an
proper interpretations. In this way the
Legislature will most promptly, eco
nomically and effectively perform us
function of critic, the object OF lnvesu-
cations be at once attained without eN-
pense and delay, and desired publicity
Of any wrongdoing be given through
llRElSIhluIts
form functions which have fallen upon
the newspapers as the result Of our
clumsy and inefficient legislative meth
DDS.
at is becoming increasingly hard 70
get our ablest men 20 become Senators
and Assemblymen, and these positions
are no longer looked upon with the
same degree Of honor as they were IN
the earlier days Of the Republic II
is due 10 a great extent TO the fact
that the Legislature has been limited IN
power and consequently has diminished
in dignity. and, in the second place,
that Il no longer furnishes a real step
ming stone to larger and more responsi-
BILE positions in public life"
Mr.. Mills went on to say that the
presence Of the Governor on the floor
of either house would add 10 the dignl-
~ Of its debates. and also serve IN at
tracing the public attention 70 the de-
alterations of the Legislature. ms, ne
said. would have a stimulating influence
on the members, and such sys-
tenn in time would almost inevitably
lead 10 the selection of the depart.
mental heads among the members OF
the Legislature.
In closing Mr.. Mills said;
"Thus might we not reasonably hope
10 see in a comparatively short space
Of time the able men of the state serv-
ing it in a legislative capacity and pre-,
ferring service in the State Capitol
rather than service at Washington as
the best means Of advancement; our
legislatures restored 70 the public con-
fdence and honor, and representative
government saved from the. attacks
which now threaten its very existence :!
DR.. Frederick A. Cleveland, director
of the Bureau of Municipal Research
and Charles d. Norton, vice-president
/ of the First National Bank, discussec
the making Of budget, Will Henry W
Jessup, Judge W. L. Ransom and Sur
| rogate Robert L. Fowler pleaded 1ol
/ simnler court procedure.