The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-04
RADICAL REFORMS.
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| provide for the nomination of county
+! and township officers in county pri-
to the various conventions at the same
primaries.
Constitution Old, He Says.
The constitution of the fathers Is
not In harmony with present day con-
ditions, the state executive believes,
and for this reason he would provide
for the calling of constitutional
be vested with the power and auth
Orfty to rewrite the entire state con-
stltution, which would be submitted to
the voters for ratification. Because of
the weak showing made by ]. b. Bill
lard In his recent fight for the COVER
norship on a resubmission platform,
Governor Hodges feels that a constf-
tutiOnal convention would in no man.
ner endanger the prohibitory liquor
, provision.
Make Officials Appointive.
In his views for a change of the
would make all but two or three state
officials appointive. He would pro-
vide for the election of governor, sec
rotary of state and perhaps state au-
ditor. All other officials would be ap-
pointees of the governor who would
be held directly responsible for con-
ditions in the several departments.
One House Legislature.
The plan of Governor Hodges for a
one-house state legislature was first
urged in the closing days of the 1913
session when special message was
sent to the legislature. The idea adj
vanced by the governor today, how
ever. clearly and concisely covers his
plan. He would provide for the nam
ing Of a legislature composed of six
teen members-two from each of the
men of legal training and ability, who
would be in session all or most OF the
time.
Old Ideas Up to Date.
1T is next to impossible to interpret
our constitution written years ago to
meet present day needs and demands"
said Governor Hodges in his discus
sion of the constitution of the fathers
of the state. 1T can't be done. A
surgeon who uses the methods in vogue
25 years ago to compete with modern
day surgery, would be fit subject for
a sanity commission. But Kansas goes
right along applying the constitution of
former days to present day conditions.
There is only one relief. That is a
constitutional convention. The old fog
gish idea that a constitutional conven-
ton endangered our prohibitory liquor
amendment, Is no longer a bugaboo.
The prohibitory liquor law is safe and
Kansas Is in the prohibition column for
all time to come. When an independent
candidate. running on a resubmission
platform could get but eight per cent
of the votes in state wide election.
prohibition in Kansas isn't in serious
or immediate danger. Personally I
would like to see the next legislature
pass resolution calling for a consti-
tutional convention that Kansas might
realize her progressive tendencies by
writing a really modern constitution.
Make Governor Responsible.
''One of the seriously needed con-
stitutional amendments is for a change
in the naming of state officials" con-
tinued the governor as he outlined his
idea for new reform in the selection
of state officials. I'm my opinion, all
state officials except the governorl
tary of state, should be appointive.
The appointments should be made by
the governor who should be held d.
rectly responsible for the work of the
heads of the various departments. The
presidents cabinet is appointive under
the federal constitution and It is just
as important that the governors cab
met should be appointive and that they
should work in harmony.
Lesson of Last Year.
Take the situation of the last two
years." urged Governor Hodges. with
all Republican departments. with one
exception, had more money to spend
than under q former administration.
All Democratic departments had less.
The Republicans spent their money.
The Democratic governor was charged
with the extravaganza. Yet in no
manner could he have controlled the
departments. A change in the con-
stitutiOn. however, would give the
governor control of the departments
and hold him responsible for their SER
vice to the public and their expendi-
ture of public funds"
Governor Hodges plan would give
the governor power to appoint an at
torney general, state treasurer, SUI
perintendent Of public instruction. SUI
perintendent of insurance and state
printer. now elected by the people.
County Primary All Right.
Discussing his plan for a change in
the primary election law, the govern
or declared:
IT think the county primary is a
good thing. Under a convenient sys-
tenn. three or four men were able to
manipulate and dominate county pol
itics. So I would provide for the
nomination of candidates for county
offices at the regular primaries and
at the same time provide for the Sc
lection Of delegates to state, congress
sional and senatorial conventions.
"Our state wide primary has been
an expensive luxury. In 1912, it cost
the state virtually one dollar for ev-
cry ballot cast In the primary. Can
didates who won a nomination were
compelled to make two campaigns
and meet an enormous expense. And
does any one claim that we are get
ting a better class Of citizens for pub
lie officials than under the convention
system? I leave 1t to the intelligence
Of the ordinary voter. To me it seems
that change, rather radical
change, in the present law is needed.
Better Class of LAWS.