Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-02-22
By GENE BYRNES

the people Each il charged with
constitutional duties, Each + all
preme in his own department, III
stead of single executive 40 have a
plural executive. The officers are
Independent of each other. Unity and
Conference in the conduct OF executive
administration is impossible
These conditions are created by the
constitution They constitute weak,
neGSes Inherent In our form OF gov.
ernmcnt until tho fundamental. law is
changed.
We elected governor and charg
ed him with the duty Of enforcing the
law Our Legislative and administra-
tive policy made this duty impossible
OF fullillment. The power lodged in
the governor was further decentraliz-
cd. So deyitalized had become the
functions OF a governor that. besides
appointing numerous officers, pardon.
ing a few criminals. commissioning
notaries public, and preaching a ser.
mon biennially 10 the general Assem-.
bly,. he had little to DO.
Our organization was responsib,e
for the decadencet Ct he power, In
fluenoe ant, dignity Of the Office q
governor What was that oreanisa
tion and what were the reasons bach
OF it? The reasons are az import
ant as the organization.
Growth Demanded Changes.
The tendency Of the last quarter Of
century has been towards the exer
F., else of additional functions by the gov
eminent. Social reorganization and
growth. requiring the extension Of the
political power Of the state. have
been largely responsible for this son
timeni. Now forms Of industry and o,
industrial organization sprung up
Banking, insurance, railroads. public
service companies, corporations, labor
organizations. sanitary conditions
compelled the individual to look to the
state for active assistance by specia
administrative officials, in order t.
prevent irroparable frauds and oppres
sions. The advancement Of science
brought new methods OF conserving
suman and natural resources Ths
progress Of humanity brought de
mond for better care of dependents
detectives and delnquents.
Events cast upon the states now
responsibilities and demanded new
Observation-Disclosures for their discharges
The states. including Illinois. attempt
ed legislation and administration [,
meet the Increased possibilities
TO meet these responsibilities admin
istratve agencies were created
Boards bureaus and commission
were constituted. Tho change in tn
social structure was rapid. The porio,
between legislative sessions creates
now conditions demanding the over
right and control OF governments
agencies.
Legislatures. upon the whole. dea
with concrete facts and concrete sit,
atoms. Thus when a concrete prot
lem was presented to the legislator
for solution in a legislative way, r,
sort was had to board or commits
: sion TO deal with such problem
: The mere statement of the admin
'stlati,e agencies Of the government
dealing With labor conditions iii.
: closes the chaos and lack of systel
= IN tho organization No, only wa
: there no systematic organization {
! these labor agencies. but the power
: and duties OF the authorities owe
Tapped and condictcd in confnsr
; lneHicicncy the Result.
The result was rot only inetiicicnc,
but great extravaganza The tax pays
settled the bills II seemed to be til
ambition Of each separate board an
commission al each legislative sessio
| 10 do two things.
T. First. To make heroic fight FOL