New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-07


every one agrees ought 10 be attained
il appears necessary that government
shall interfere TO much greater ef-
tent than in former times with the
complicated and interdependent lie
OF the people. The business which
government is required 10 undertake
has vastly increased both IN magni-
tude and variety and there is wide
spread feeling that In some respects
the business OF the government mas
outgrown tho organization OF govern
ment.
MANY thoughtful citizens consider
that our system OF taxation. appropna
ton and expenditure OF moneys. when
worked very well in simpler times. Is
now quite inadequate. Many think that
the strictly municipal interests OF our
great cities require moro protection
in the way Of home rule provisions
than is afforded in the present consti.
tuition. Many think that the natural
resources Of the state. particularly the
forests and water power. should be
brought under system OF conserva
ton and utilization having the stabil-
fly of constitutional basis. Many
think that our ballot has become too
complicated and unwieldy and that tho
real power of the voter over the ar
fairs of government would be increased
II there were fewer candidates TO he
voted for and fewer subjects for the
voters 10 pass upon, at the same time.
Many think that the great multitude
Of separate officers and commissions
which have been created from time to
time TO meet new demands for official
oLo,,lI Ia L~avrykt tttA
definite relations with each other and
under more systematic supervision and
control.
"These and other subjects have en-
listed the interest Of respectable bodies
of citizens who are entitled 10 have
from this convention attentive con-
sideratlon Of their opinions. ! will
not continue the enumeration or enter
upon discussion of the subjects 70
be presented further than TO say that
we have before US in our own country
signal examples Of great business cor
porations for production and com
merce, through which conservation OF
resources. economy of expenditure and
effectiveness Of action have been at
tanned to a very high degree; and citi-
zens concerned In the great business
of government may well learn a lesson
from these examples.
"The fundamental principle to be sp-
piled | take to be that responsibility
and power shall always 60 together.
Responsibility without power can never
be justly enforced, and power without
responsibility can never be duly con-
trolled Vague, indefinite, uncertain,
overlapping and conflicting grants Of
power and divided responsibility make
good administration impossible. Every
public officer and agent should have
clear and definite authority TO do the
acts required of him and should have
some one over him with authority TO
hold him TO responsibility, from the
lowest employe to the highest elected
officer whom the people themselves
hold TO responsibility at the polls.
Grants Of power should be clear and
definite, and the responsibility should
be open. publicly ascertained and un-
mistakable, so that praise and blame.
reward and punishment may be as
signed by the people themselves with
justice and certainty.
an all our labors let US keep IN
mind that it is our duty, so far as our
powers go, to preserve as well rs TO
improve. While we seek TO adapt the
machinery of government TO changing
conditions, we are still to preserve the
great body of rights and liberties
which have grown through many cen
turtles of political and judicial develop
ment, and under which We have so long
been blessed by peace, order, justice
and Individual liberty and opportunity.
It is not for US to tear down institu-
tions based upon the customs and
growing out of the life of the people
whom VIC serve. merely for the pur-
pose Of substituting in their place
creations of our own devising, however
confident we may feel in the success
of the experiments we may contem-
plate.
"No wise legislator will undervalue
the power for peace and order and
progress which lies in the traditions
Of respect, the conformity Of custom
and the habit Of obedience among q
people toward their own established,
though perhaps illogical institutions.
Where charges are needed they should
be made foarlessly and thoroughly, but
In such a manner with relation to eX-
listing custom and opinion as TO be
natural DEVELOPMENTS from the life Of
the people Of the state, and in a state
with such a history as ours the burden
of proof rests always upon the adyo-
Gates Of change.
with US the rights Of the individual
citizen are not derived from the state,
but are independent of it. and all the
powers Of government find their JUST
fcation only in their adoption to Sc
cure the rights of the individual. The
freedom Of the individual will is
limited only by the equal rights OF
other individuals.
above all our predecessors we are
fortunate ir serving a community it
self inspired by an unprecedented in
terest In the subjects with which we
are to DEAL approaching their impor-
lance, eager in discussion, fruitful OF
suggestion, DESTROYS TO contribute TO a
wise conclusion. That condition is a
cheerful harbinger of the future, for
indifference is the deadliest foe of
democracy. A people alive to its prob
lens is certain TO move forward. If by
thorough study and practical sense
and sincerity Of purpose we can lead
this great discussion among the self
governing people of the state, even
though not line we write were voted
into the constitution. this convention
will not have failed in its purpose OF