The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-08-31
EX-SENATOR ROOT
DENOUNCES BOSSES
Says New York Has Had "In-
visible Government" For
40 Years.
URGES SHORT BALLOT.
Names Are Called, Although They
Are Those of Leaders OF
Generation Past.

Generation Past.
Albany, n. Y, Aug. 3O.-Address-
ing the Constitution Convention to-
day Elihu Root condemned the sys-
tenn of "bOssism" and "inivisible gov
ernment" which he said to his knowl-
40 years. and pleaded chat the people
be armed with the short ballot to
establish their own rule.
This domination" Mr.. Root said
has caused deep and sullen and
long continued resentment among
the people at being governed by men
| not of their choosing. They demand
change. The short ballot plan is
a solution or at least, it may be the
first step that will work out a solu-
! ton.
When 1 go back home, as / am
about to go, to spend my declining
years, mean to go with the feeling
that 1 can say l have not failed to
speak and to act in accordance with
the lessons that 1 learned there from
the God of my fathers"
The short ballot has been opposed
by members OF the "old guard
Among those who have supported it
are Mr. Root. George Z. Wickersham
Henry l.. Stimson and Frederick G..
Lanner, the Republican state chair
man.
After discussing the proposal spe-
cffically, Mr.. Root said:
1--WE talk about the government OF
the constitution. What is the GOV
ernment of this state? What has /,
! been during the 40 years Of my ac-
f, quaintance with it? The govern
ment OF the constitution? oh: not
half the time, or halfway
From the days of Fenton and
! Conklin and Arthur and Cornell and
Platt. from the days of David b. Hill
down to the present time, the gov
ernment of the state has presented
two different lines Of activity, one OF
the constitutional and statutory Of
| fees OF the state. and the other OF
the party leaders--they call them
party bosses.
They are called the systematic
invisible government For. / don't
remember how many years. Mr..
Conklin was the supreme ruler in
this state; the governor did not
count, legislatures did not count.
And in a great outburst Of public
rage he was pulled dowr.
Then Mr.. Platt ruled the state
for nigh upon 90 years And the
capital was not here; it was at 40
Broadway: with Mr.. Platt and his
I lieutenants.
And there is today throughout
this state a deep and sullen resent
ment at being governed thus by men
not OF the peoples choosing.
II don't criticise the men OF the
invisible government, How can I?
| have known them all. and among
them have been some of my dearest
friends. But it is all wrong that a
government not authorized by the
people should be continued superior
to the government that is authorized
by the people.
Both parties are alike. All par
ties are alike. The system extends
through ALL"
The short ballot and general civil
department reorganization proposal
would strike from the elective list
the offices of secretary of state. state
treasurer and engineer surveyor.
Department heads appointed by the
governor with the advice and consent
of the senate would assume the
duaies now borne by these Offices
All state departments and bureaus
of which there are now 1853, would
be grouped under Is heads, which
would be made constitutional offices.
Only two departments, the attor-
ney general and the comptroller,
would be elective.