The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-09
TANNER ALSO Is FOR |
FEWER STATE JOBS
Relieves With Root in Central
Ting Power in n Governor
with a Cabinet.
CONDITIONS ARE CHANGED

A,pASy, Aug s.-president Elihu Root
~ the Constitutional Convention IL not
Alone in pointing out to the delegates
tina. the proposal to reorganixe the State
government. reduce the number Of cleo
tive officials and %centralize power and
authority in the Governor through the
aspointment Of an executive cabinet 70
administer most Of the affairs Of state
Is not Of recent origin.
state chairman Frederick c. Tanner,
xho also is chairman OF the convention
committee which IL preparing the plan
10 reorganize the State government. In
January last ollowed up President
Roots address before the Republican
conference at Saratoga last August in
declaring that a Legislature should not
he boss ridden. that II the State Ia
10 have a boss or leader II should be
one chosen by the people In the person
n the Governor. The Tanner committee
expects to have Its reorganization plan
ready 10 report to the convention on
Tuesday.
As the Republican Legislature was
about to organize last January MIR. Tan
rer in addressing the Young Men Re-
publican club Of New York said
1T has become quite evident to me
the last few weeks that a large number
II people still think that the state chair
man should exert the power of his posi-
ton to compel or prevent legislation. I
have on my desk more than twoscore of
proposed bills or legislative schemes.
most Of them presented to me by per-
cons interested in reform and civic
movements. with the request to get be-
hind this or that measure.
During the last year there has been
marked return to clear political think
inn. This u a good time. right at the
beginning of the legislative session. to
have our attention brought back to first
principles.
State Chairman's Functions.
1.-THE Republican party has stood
hrmly for the idea Of maintaining dis
unct branches Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
tive. executive and tudicial-with clear
lines Of demarcation. The function Of
the State chairman is separate from
these, and nothing In the Law gives him
power over them.
1T is true there have been attempts
10 exert such power. but they have been
wrong in principle and generally disas-
trous in practice. For instance. Tam
many Hall. which is in reality the State
committee of the Democratic party. has
interfered during the last four years
with the judiciary. and We have had the
willett scandal II has interfered with
the executive. and we had the Sulzer
impeachment IL has directed legislation
BY long distance telephone. to the utter
Encouragement of the good members
OF the Legislature II the debauching
~ the bad ones. And. what liz quite as
bad. the real power has been exerted by
a source not recognized by law, and the
people have not had the opportunity to
correct II nor the power to remove at
an election the man who has been the
real appointive power. II is to be re-
membered that the State chairman. or
what for the last four years has been
equivalent to that officer in the Demo-
cratic party, is not elected by the people
at large but within the party itself under
party rule.
IT am we'll aware that many people
think that GENERALIZATION of the legis-
lstive power in the organization tends
TO build up the organization. That may
be true temporarily. but after that GEN.
tali,ation begins to destroy.
The late Thomas c. Plat i'm his
autobiography advocated with complete
frankness the right Of the organization
leader to control legislation. In that
very interesting boo he o only claims
personal credit for various pieces Of
legislation. but In one instance at least
u is stated that Mr.. Plat threatened
Gov. Levi =. Morton. A letter from Mr..
Plat. which is printed in his autobi-
ography. recites that II the Governor did
not carry certain legislation through he
tPlatt) would see that the organization
opposed his candidacy for President In
the coming national convention.
Changes since PIatt's Day.
But the spirit OF the times has
changed since the days of Mr.. Plat. The
demand for the Republican chairman TO
Direct legislation has steadily decreased.
and his power has been exercised less
and less in that direction. To-day the
hest political intelligence in the State
places the responsibility for the passing
f laws and their execution where II
belongs. that Is upon the Governor and
the Legislature.
What | have outlined does not mean
that ! have not and will not consult and
advise with the Governor or other State
ohicials. No intelligent man could ex-
Dect the state chairman or any other
PRISON to give up his rights as a citizen.
1T would not he rational to ask him
10 remain silent on a subject In which
he might be interested for the simple
reason that he is State chairman. To
ADVISE and consult Is n matter. at
tempting TO drive legislation through by
means Of patronage or the party whip Is
quite another.
II know that there IL some desire
both within and without the party ranks
70 adopt the English system n "a
give party leaders responsibility OF di-
rcting legislation, but II this IL done II
should be done by law and the leader
should receive the corresponding power,
his duties defined and a proper check
provided for his control and removal.
Csr md Niauae Of owe
"My own case at present offers a fair
Illustration Of the test which should
be applied as to when legislative power
should and should not he exercised. II
happens that before | became state
chairman of the Republican party
was dominated at the primaries as a
delegate to the Constitutional Conven
uon. and subsequently was elected.
But | have not been elected to the
legislature, have no voice in its de
VIBRATIONS, and consequently no respon'
sbiiity, Nor do | intend to assume such
responsibility.
. the other hand. having be2r
elected TO the Constitutional Conven-
u'n by the people. ! will take part both
IN us committee work and Its debates
on the floor as an elected delegate, and
therefore am ready to accept full re
possibility for my share Of what Is done
IN that convention.
To those who have urged with con
'derable insistence that ! take an &C,
I've part In legislation ! wish to say
mat J do not think that the principle Of
such participation by the State chair
man IS sound. nor il there necessity fol
such action, The Republican I.egisla
taf" can direct it's W affairs. II it is al
incompetent to perform it's functions a,
was the preceding Legislature, ther,
would he small justification, from tn
lOIIt Of NIau. nf bI1hlIn InAoron4 fns III.