Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1915-01-13
NEED NOT FEAR SHORT BALLOT.

MORE o less opposition has arisen to the proposed short ballot
understood however most of this opposition will vanish. and in fact many
of those vho ar offering opposition will warmly advocate it
The flea is to elect a overnor by popular vote and place in his
hands the selection of a treasurer a controller. a secretary of state. an
attorney general and other minor executive officials.
To those who have given no study to the proposition and are there"
fore unfaan liar with its details and operations. the idea at nee suggests
itself that 1t would concentrate too much power into the hands of the gov.
ernor. thai it savors too much Of onarchal government, that it permits
of too gr at possibilities to organize a political machine. Deeper investi
cation. no yever, prove that all of these objections pale into thin air. 2 s
adequate provision is made against n such contingency. The applca,
ton of an effective recall clause completely eliminates such objections, and
any contention that the proposition is not thoroughly democratic is ground
less.
The flea of the short ballot. while comparatively lev n this state.
is not a L academic conclusion, but is the result of deep study and tech
meal and professional knowledge Of conditions which it is proposed to
remedy.
lot and in every instance where it has been practically applied it has work
ed successfully. It's successful working can be seen in the general gov
eminent The president appoints his cabinet nj minor officials n there
a be N O doubt that greater efficiency is secured than would be were all
no way Of acquaintng themselves with the fitness n qualification of a
great number of candidates and they voter party lines r for good fellow
shin. 1t frequently therefore occurs that lei are elected to office who
are entirely inefficient, who have not 4" single qualification to recommend
them.
By appointment, o n the other hand, qualification and fitness would be
the first consideration of the governor, and responsibility TO good conduct
of office would be defnately fixed. At present each ncial is independent
and is responsible to n O general head. There is no harmony or system,
work is duplicated, and general extravaganza is the rule.
The state government should be placed upon a business basis SINH:
lar to all business concerns. Take a railroad division fol instance. While
Spa IN n"%monv without Gupicaton, and responsibiitv is positiyely fixed
Who wouIl suggest that the various departments should work independ-
ent of a other and who would presume to sy that equal efficiency
could be maintained if the general superintendent had voice in choosing
his subordinates and debating in a general way the system of manage
aent?
Yet that is the position Of u governor. He sees abuses and mis-
management which is costly to the State but is powerless to correct them.
Everyone realizes that there is extravaganza and waste yet there is no
person held individually responsible.
Governor Boyle will recommend the short ballot to the next legislature
1t is understood, however, that it can com only by a constitutional
amendment which must pass two Sessions of the legislature and then
be submitted to popular vote of the people, 1t cannot be charged that
Governor Boyle hopes to build up a machine for personal benefit, for his
term of Office will have expired before the proposed amendment a De-
come a law. II this session of the legislature should pass such an amend
ment n harm could possibly result The people would then have four
it when the question is fnany submitted to them.
Furhe rmore, there is nothing partisan in the measure. |. is recon-
mended by democrats and republicans alike. While Governor Boyle has
taken the Initiative in bringing it about, it has the Endorsement and ap.
proval of Ex-Governor Oddie. 1t is also true that it has the Endorsement
of such nen IS exPresidens Roosevelt and Taft, and President Wilson.