The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-01-14

nitely pledged. Each department of
government is mindful of pledges pub
liCly made; sustained by an alert, dis
eliminating public opinion, it will dis
charge its full duty under the laws
and the constitution. Fortunately for
the people in our state not all the ex-
ecutiVe power is vested in the gov
ernor. The constitution provides for
the election of lieutenant governor,
a secretary of state, an attorney gen.
eral, an auditor of state and treas
urer Of state; these officials so chosen
directly by the people themselves are
responsible to the people and have
duties to perform but little if any less
in Importance than those assigned to
the governor.
BY happy arrangement all state
officials chosen at the recent election
are here today and will be inducted
into their respective offices with ap-
propTiate ceremonies. This public oc-
casion furnishes gratifying opportunity
not only to call attention to the wise
division Of executive authority pro-
vided for by the fathers when they
made our constitution but also to en-
phasize the harmony and spirit of CO.
operation which will mark the efforts
of all the different executive depart
ments as they work together for the
common good. The presence of prac-
tically the whole membership of the
general assembly and of this vast con-
course Of our citizenship makes it not
inappropriate to point out the fact that
to the general assembly of the state
the people must look for practical and
detailed solution of legislative prob
lens.
1t is one of the evils of concentrated
authority that the people come to-look
to the executive solely for needed
changes in legislation, disregarding
their own immediate constitutional rep
resentatiyes in the lawmaking bodies.
Give your senators and representatives
chance. They are able to aid you in
working our reforms demanded in leg
islation. Keep in close touch with
them; assist them by your counsel and
advice, for in the last analysis theirs
is the responsibility of lawmaking and
to them will properly belong the credit
for wise legislation.
Plans for More Economy.
In due time the executive will con-
municate to the general assembly his
recommendations as to legislation to
carry into effect the pledges upon
which a majority of the members of
that body were elected and to bring to
the people the benefits Of a more eco
nomical and less centralized govern
ment. My only recommendation at
this time is that in the accomplish
ment of these great reforms demanded
by the electorate at the polls, there be
as small a volume OF legislation as is
consistent with the public interest. II
has been estimated that during the
past five years more than 10000 laws
have been enacted in this country by
congress and the various state legis-
latureS and that more than SOC, 900 leg
islative bills have been introduced for
consideration in the same period.
There is a limit beyond which the as
capacity of the organism of
the body polite cannot be crowded.
AS the human organism requires sea
sons of inactivity for assimilation and
rest, so does the state require periods
Of legislative recuperation. Legitimate
businss should be encouraged and fos-
Iered, not hampered and annoyed
While there is certain legislation to be
referred to more in detail in a mes
sage to the general assembly, which
should be enacted in order to keep
taith with the people and carry into
effect their mandate, nevertheless it
IS hoped that when these needed re-
forms are accomplished the general
assembly will not manifest any exces-
;ive zeal for lawmaking.
Would Eliminate Party Lines.
In the working out of these great |
problems of government by the gen
sral assembly, it is hoped that party |
ines will not be drawn as they GER
ainly we're not drawn in the election
ust passed. With the flight of years
'arty lines have loosened somewhat
md a majority of the voters are no
onger controlled by the maxim: my /
'arty, right or wrong" Political or