The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-23

with the concurrence Of the Senate,
others by impeachment. While in
general terms the executive power is
vested in the Governor. as a matter
of fact 1t is Invested and distributed
in such a confused illogical expensive
manner that the Governors control
and responsibility are very imperfect.
The revised Article v. Of the Con-
stitution is designed to introduce
order into this chaos and to combine
power with responsibility in the ad-
ministrative government of the State.
The State supervision and control
of education is at present conducted
by the University of the State Of New
York. whose governing board, the
Regents, are elected by the Legisla-
ture for terms of nine years each.
that Of n expiring each year.. The
new Constitution continues this sys-
TEN by providing that the Department
of Education shall be administered by
the University Of the State of New
York and that the chief administra-
tive officer Of the department shall
be appointed by the Regents. Four
other departments, namely. Labor and
Industry, Public Utilities. Conserva-
ton n Civil Service. are put under
the direction OF commissions appoint
=, ed for terms extending beyond that OF
the Governor. These commissions are
vested with both legislative and adj
ministrative functions. For these rea-
sons the consent OF the Senate is
required TO their appointment and
they are made removable by the Gov
ernor only for cause and after an OPP
portunity to be heard.
The revised Constitution leaves It
to the Legislature to prescribe In de-
tail the powers and duties OF these
commissions In the case OF the De-
partment Of Public Utilities IL pro-
vides that the department shall con-
slst of two Public Service Commits
sions. without prescribing the number
Of commissioners The Civil Service
Commission is to be composed Of three
commissioners appointed for six years
each. so classified that the term of
one shall expire every two years. This
, commission is required to take care
that the provisions of the Constitution
relating to civil service and OF laws
enacted Hereunder are faithfully OBJ
served and enforced.
The Department OF Conservation IL
to consist of nine commissioners APP
pointed in the first instance for terms
expiring annually during nine sue
cessive years: their successors to he
appointed for nine years each. One
commissioner is required to reside in
zach judicial district, and no person
shall he eligible to hold such office who
is engaged in the business % lumber
ing in any forest preserve county. or
who Is engaged in any business in the
prosecution OF which hydraulic power
is used. or in which water is distrib-
uted or sold under any public fran
chise, or who is an officer or holder
of the stocks or bonds Of my corpora
ton engaged in such business within
the State. The commissioners whose
qualifications are thus carefully pre-
scribed are charged with the develop
ment and protection OF the natural re-
sources Of the State. the encourage
ment Of forestry and the suppression
OF forest fires; the conservation, pre-
vention Of pollution and regulation of
the waters OF the State and the pro-
lection and propagation of its fish,
birds and game.
The heads OF the remaining de.
partments, namely, Accounts. Treas
ury. Taxation, State, Public Works
Health. Agriculture. Charities ans
Correction. Banking and Insur.
ance. whose terms of office are
coextensive with that OF the Gov.
ernor, are made a~ppointtve and
removable by the Governor in his dis
erection, All appointed heads OF de-
partments are also made subject &c
|, impeachment. In like name as the
Governor, and removable by the Sen.
, ate by vote Of two-thirds OF all IT.
members.
These provisions take the Secretary
!. OF State, Treasurer and State Engi.
neer and Surveyor out OF the elective
class, make the first two appointive
!, and transfer the duties OF the las
named officer u the Department Of
/, Public Works.
To this extent the principle OF the
short ballot, which has been advo,
Gated by both political parties in theil
platforms, is adopted and applied.
The existing Constitution provide.
for the appointment of the Superin'
tendent OF Public Works by the Gov,
ernor. by and with the advice ant
consent OF the Senate. The revised
Constitution transfers to the depart
ment over which that official presides
and which at present Is chiefly con
Cerned with the construction of IN,