The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-17
~ ADOLPH J. RODEN . ECk,
Delegate At Large 20 the Consti-
tutional Convention ana pre-.
gliding JudGe OF the Court
Of Claims,

sliding JudGe OF The Coart
Of Claims.
r ! were asked to state what in m,
Judgment constituted the CHIEF
merit Of the revised Constitution
should say that 1t was the Cd.
p~ortunity which 1t affords for increased
EFFICIENCY In the administration Of the
State government and the civil d.
visions Of the State.
There are provisions In the new
Constitution which are in the nature
Of social reforms. but the controlling
principles through which a reform in
our ineffective state administration
= nay be expected are those Of centrali-
sation Of responsibility and greater
efficiency.
One OF the most remarkable state
ments made by Senator Root during
the course of his admirable addresses
to the convention was that the gov
eminent Of American cities to-day is
In the main far superior to the gov
eminent Of American States illus
tfating hat by serious efforts IL IL
possible to rectify the evils Of State
as we'll as municipal government. for
twenty years ago James Bryce wrote
that the government of American
cities was a byword and a shame to
Americans all over the world.
The evil Of municipal government
has been rectified TO some extent. and
h present Constitution affords an OPP
portunity for still further improve
ment. but State government. and es-
pecially h government Of the State
Of New York. has remained stationary
or refrigerated and has not kept pace
with the progress Of social or bust
ness conditions or modern ideas Of ef-
fective administration Of private and
public affairs.
To the number of constitutional de-
partments there have beef added
other departments. boards, bureaus
and commissions with overlapping
powers and jurisdiction and unneces-
sary duplication Of expenses until the
administration Of State affairs has be-
come overloaded with the machinery
Of government. and reduced accord
ingly in efficiency. In order TO REM
edy these evils various reform have
been proposed by the new Constitu-
tIOts III " Nv uoNS Us NtNhh my
note Capitalization OF responsibility
and greater efficiency.
The Legislature Is confined more
than ever TO it's true function Of en-
acting statutes Of a general character.
Legislation OF a special, private or
local character is discouraged. 1t has
been deprived OF the power to make
up appropriation bills, which power
every one knows has been the cause
Of logrolling. and has affected the
passage of meritorious legislation.
This function has been delegated to
the Executive department of the State.
Preserving to the Legislature the right
to reduce appropriations but not to
increase them.
To avoid the passage through the
LEGISLATURE OF measures with which
members are not familiar the prov!-
sion in the present Constitution per-
hitting a bill to be acted upon with
out having been printed in its hnai
form or having been upon The desks
Of the members for any length OF time
has been eliminated and all bills must
now lie upon the de KS Of h mem
bers at least three days in hral form
before being put to a vote,
The Legislature may convene OF It's
" motion for purposes o. the re-
moval OF Judges and for the impeach-
ment OF officers, and may take testi-
mony through one of its committees
in such matters. thus giving the Lcgis-
lature a free hard in this respect.
Appropriations for private and local
purposes are restricted and the pas
sage OF private claim bills Is prohibited.
An increase in their salary and the
payment of their transportation is
provided 30 as to encourage attend
ance in the Legislature ami make IL
possible for a man of moderate means
TO serve in the Legislature without
financial loss. A record OF their de-
bates Is also to he taken. which will
raise the character OF the discussions
In the Legislature to "A HIGHER plane
and subject the members to account
ability for prolonged and useless dis
rc~ussion. These provisions must serve
ito raise the character of the Legisla-
Nure, reduce the number OF special,
%tprivate and local bills and re ult In
the enactment OF a higher class OF
Legislation.
=, Every one knows that the Depart
,ments. bureaus, boards and commls-
,sions Of the State have increased to
nsuch an extent, and the power Of the
dGovernor is so limited that "A Governor
3not possessing "a control over his party
Tin the Legislature Is not in a position
during a short term in office to make
Pan impression upon the administrative
business OF the State which vii. last
beyond his term. 1t is for this rca-
son that so much OF the time OF our
Executive Is taken UP with e%Xtraneous
matters that have little effect upon
,,the administration OF the Safes bush
lness. The Governor should in fact be
familiar with all OF the States
and with power enough to
direct the policy of the State with re-
'spect TO its business matters.
," The revised Constitution seeks to
,lace the Governor in this position.
raises his compensation to a point
where 1t will not be regarded az a
= ~acrifice to leave a profitable profess
50 honal or business career or employ
tnnent for two years service a. Cover
u sor OF the State. 1t provides that he
make up the budget for the ex-
o,enditures during his administration
! .ther than those for the Legislative
n,nd Judicial departments. This bud
t,.et IL required to be made up before
che Legislature rel and Is to be
puubmitted for its consideration.
BY this means the Governor is