Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-11
The Governor'. AuthorIty.


sir:-rerhaps MIR. Byrd did :'under
state" the matter when he called RI.
GoVernor nero hgurehead. but no
TACT that the said official does not con-
tioi the executive branch OF the State
government. Compared with the Presi-
u1ht powers and duties. those of tho
Governor seem small. not only because
oi their smaller scale, but also because
the Federal Constitution Is vested in
the PRESIDENT. while the Legislature OF
Nlrsinia-as of the other States-makcs
many commissions. and boards and in
dlViuual officials to which 1t grants
executive power responsible to itself
a,one. This is not forbidden by tho
eontras. between the position OF Prcsi-
dent and Governor which led De
Governor OF an American State repre-
SCENTS. but does not embody. the execu-
I'VE po"er. or words TO that effect.
any or the things stated in your recent
editorial.
Now this fact leads to the question
believe IL would be better TO concen-
trate all executive power In the hands
OF the nominal head of tina, depart
many OF our cities II has been dem
onstrated that concentrated power
But. it may re said. the government.
OF city Is a big business undertaking.
e nuu ms IL largely true OF our States.
neht mas SO greatly extended It's field
believe It would be logical to go
farther in the concentration Of power.
Than The Federal cons,isStion vent.
la,ure OF one branch. and either elect
Governor to be really the executive
mead head with an other executive officials
or else let the Legislature appoint and
hold responsible to ITSELF the Governor.
M Mho IN turn would be the absolute
me latter plan which may be prefer
able. would be system similar to the
city manager plan" which has worked
adopted by almost any city in virginia.
II Is reasonable to believe that better
pire TO the office Of legislator. while tho
expressed through their representa-
the hands of experts. Now il things
pie s,,s sles,,ng few ofiieiais; could more
man lney can now. and they could vote
ance9,rdingiy. But in most cases the
knewins they 0e'ng VERB better men and
watched by the electorate. Would see
to It that there was an efficient adj
fewer Offices. the State could afYord to
pay better salaries. that It would
not be too great sacrifice for good
Commonwealth.
very radical. because Il violates two
rules that are -ngrained in the political
consciousness OF the American people:
First. that II is democratic to elect as
the principlss Of the separation OF
makes 1t impossible for the voter to
exercise an intelligent choice. because
he cannot inform himself about so
many candidates. AS to tho second.
1t Is bit Of eighteenth century French
political philosophy that cannot be
not be applied as 1t has been in Amer
ica. No corporation has it's executive
9hicers independent OF the board OF
directors. but subordinate to- and re-
snonsible to- that board This prin-
ciple might we'll be followed in the
great business OF the State as It Is
Toliowed In some cities. 7 agree with
e ee an elected .S branch Of government to
be the political branch, and that the
execution OF that will should be car
REQ out by officials dominated by bust
ness PRINCIPLES and not by politics who
should be responsible to the political
branch for good administration Of
the expression and the execution Of the
Will OF the state. hut the executive
branch-which should be headed bv ono
man---ought to be the subord,nate
hranch The two branches should not
ne set OFF against each other like bodies
m INC solar system. to use a figure of
President Wilson'S. because govern
ment is . living organism. and must
be treated as such. s. JAS. HART
University. Va, August 7. 1917