The sun., 1919-09-22
can be achieved only through the follow

can be achieved only through the follow
ing methods:
II, A consolidation Of all administra-
tive departments, commissions, offices,
boards and other agencies into a small
number of departments, each headed by
single officer, except departments
where quasi-legislative and quasi-judi-
cial or inspectional and advisory func-
tions require a board
"2. The adoption of the principle that
the Governor is to be held responsible
for good administration and is to have
the power to choose the heads of depart
ments who are to constitute his cabinet
and who are to be held strictly account
able to him through his power to APP
point and remove and through his lead
ership in budget preparation. This in
wolves among other things the reduction
in the number of elective administrative
officers to two--the Governor and a
Comptroller to act as independent flnan-
cial auditor. Although there are OBJ
jections to the confirmation by the SEN
ate of nominations by the Governor, we
are of the opinion \that this check has
on the whole worked well and should
be retained.
Would Double Governors Term.
"3. The extension of the term of the
Governor to four years and the careful
adjustment of the terms of department
heads with reference to the term of the
Governor. Excepting members of boards
with overlapping terms. department
heads should have the same term as the
Governor
a. The grouping of related Offices
and work In each of the several depart
ments into appropriate divisions and bu-
reaus, responsibility for each branch of
work to be centralized in an accountable
chief.
20. A budget system vesting in the
Governor the full responsibility for pre-
senting to the Legislature each year a
consolidated budget containing all ex-
penditures which in his opinion should
be undertaken by the State, and a pro-
posed plan for obtaining the necessary
revenues-such a budget to represent
the work of the Governor and his Cabi-
net. Incorporation OF all appropriations
based upon the budget in a single gen.
eral appropriation bill Restriction of
the power of the Legislature to increase
items in the budget. Provision that
pending action on this bill the Legisla-
ture shall not enact any other appropria-
tion bill except on recommendation of
the Governor. Granting to the Gov
ernor the power to veto items or parts
Of items. Provision that special appro-
priation bills introduced after final ac-
ton on the general appropriation bill
shall secure the specific means for de-
fraying appropriations carried therein
Makes Governor Responsible.
"The only serious argument against
such a proposed reorganization and
budget system" the Commission admits
lis that 1t makes the Governor a car
The President OF the United States has
administrative powers far greater than
those here proposed TO be given to the
Governor. The Mayor of the city OF
New York appoints and removes all OF
the important department heads, and
citizens know whom to hold accountable
The Governor does not hold Office by
hereditary right. He is elected for a
fixed term by universal suffrage.
If he were given the powers here pro-
posed he would stand out in the lime
light of public opinion and scrutiny
The system here proposed is
more democratic. not more royal than
that now in existence. Democracy doe,
not merely mean periodical elections. IT
means a government held accountable
to the people between elections II
this is not democracy, then 1t Is difficult
to imagine what 1t isl