The Alaska daily empire., 1917-07-24
DUTIES OF GOVERNOR.

The Dispatch says that the Legislature took the forest funds that belong of right to the First Dvi- sion and distributed them throughout Territory but should not blame Gov. Strong because Judge Jennings decided that under the law the Legsa- ture had the power to do it. The Dispatchs excuse for not blaming the Governor is strongest reasons why he should be blamed. If the court could always compel Legislatures refrain from doing wrong and force them always to do right it would much difference what kind of Governor we had But courts cannot make laws they destroy them simply because of their wrongs. They only construe them On the other hand in Alaska in most of the States the Governor is part of the law making power-and greater part than any Senator Representative. In Alaska it requires two-thrds vote of each branch of the Legislature Senators and eleven Representativesto pass measure the veto of the Governor, and the Governor is made an adviser of the members of the Legislature all ters of legislation and governmental policy In other words, the Governor and three could five Senators and sixteen Representatives raidng the treasury or doing other Or the Cover nor and six representatives could prevent all eight Senators and ten Representatives from doing wrong
 This power put in the hands of the Governor deliberately and for use. It put there because the Governor is supposed to be better informed than the members of the Legislature Territorial needs He is supposed to be the Territorial job all the time. He is also expected to protect the rights of the whole Territory against wrongful attacks of
 section and the rights of section against the wrong full attacks of the whole Territory The Governor is made the adviser and coworker with the Legislature, because devoting his whole time to the Territory and all phases of governmental development and work in it, it is presumed that he will proper sou- tions of the problems that before the people first and in such manner create harmonious coordination through the whole fabric of Territorial government.
 Governor might satisfy himself and those who are for him. for of politics whether he is right wrong, by lodging issues and placing the blame on the Legislature but such conduct cannot satisfy the just demands of those progress sve development. And strong do not attempt it.. Strong men are not afraid to accept all the responsbi ities that placed upon them by law.
 Gov. Wilson could have rested by writing message to the Legislature covering State in general terms and in more or less noncommitta manner but he would not have been twice President the United States if he had done Gov. Cleveland and Gov. Roosevelt could have thought less of results and blamed the Legislature for failures but they would not have each been President twice Gov. Hughes could have been weakling, moving against the point of least resistance but he would never have been nominee for President Gov Marshall became vice. President. Gov Chamberlain, Gov. LaFollette, Gov. Johnson Gov Shaffroth Gov. kendrick and others came Senators because they strong Governors and did not shrk responsibilities, and Gov. Lister. Mccall. Gov. Alexander. Gov. Cox and others ing second terms for the reasons
 Alaska should have Governor who would get on the job, and work out of the problems that vexng the people of the Territory She should have . far-seeing Governor who would look ahead She should have Governor who would have work cut out for the Legislature when She should have Governor like l. Stevens, the first head of Wash ngton Territory, who did much build lasting dations for that Territory and State foundations based upon democratic principles and that were so sound that fifty years after the establishment of the Territory less student of American history and economies than Harvey Scott said that almost daily the State. then decade and half old dis covering that present day problems easily solved because master builder had directed the laying of 1oun1stion stones.