Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1919-01-16

? come OF so little Importance that ny
predecessor refused to appoint its head
T The problems affecting labor which ar,
properly "a matter of state concern re
p quire that this department be rehabi
e htated. To it properly belong the work
Of mine inspection and also safety III
spection in cooperation with the in.
dustrial accident board Permit me to
add here that in my Judgment the
present schedule Of compensation in the
workmen S compensation law is in many
instances not adequate to protect the
workman and should be increased.
The foregoing references to an agri-
cultural and a labor department are
only two illustrations of the possibili-
ties of Capitalization. Duplication, If
responsibility, incompleteness and lack
OF coordination characterize all the
other regulatory and Administrative
offices.
As applied to the science of govern
ment, the greatest lessons that we have
learned in this war are the value of CO.
operation and the need for wise and eff
fective leadership. The war has ex-
posed the fallacy and weakness and in
efficiency of much of our government
machinery. Too often have our laws
been framed on the theory that public
officials should not be given power lest
that power be abused. The necessities
Of great crisis have taught us that
those who ore called upon for the time
being to exercise the sovereignty of a
nation or state must necessarily possess
great power in the execution of those
policies that are determined to be for
the general welfare. The distinction be
tween an autocracy and a democracy is
not in the extent of their executive pow
ers, but the distinction lies in this: That
those powers are exercised in a demo
cracy by the consent of the governed
and the policies to be executed are de-
termined by and in the interest of the |
governed and not of the governor. The |
autocrat has no sense of responsibility |
to other than himself or his class. The |
ruler of a republic executes a trustee |
ship for the general welfare. Power in
the hands of public official is danger
GUS only when exercised in a sinister or
irresponsible manner. No man who is
vested with responsibility who must per-
form his acts in the limelight of publ
city and give an accounting within a
relatively short period, can long con-
tinue to be radical In a state such
as ours, he must necessarily act con-
servatively or he will not be permitted
to continue in office.
There is at present only one body in
the state with legal authority to super
wise, direct and coordinate the various
of the state. That body
is the one whose membership you COM
pose Obviously the legislature is I'M
able to perform this function itself.
1t is organized primarily for different
purpose. I appeal to you, therefore, to
revive the office of chief executive, to
recreate the governorship. You need
not fear that the governor, whoever he
nav be. will abuse his power. He can
not and will not do so to the extent
that those do now who are exercising
-he scattered and unsupervised execu-
i've authority. The governor is direct
" responsible to, and more than any
,ther officer is held responsible by the
electorate. Any failure on his part to
junction as an efficient manager WILL
lnder a system of centralized response
,ilitv, be quickly apparent to the public
md the consequences of such failure
listed upon the delinquent.
am not asking something which
las not been carefully studied by stu
Tents of government. Politically scien-
lists have long said our present inef-
icient system of state governments
ould not be permanent. Commissions j
N economy and efficiency wherever ]
ppointed have recommended this I
bange. Such men as Elihu Root and
,barles E. Hughes have endorsed it.
illinois, under the leadership of Gov
rnor Lowden has already adopted it.
.et us keep Idaho in the front rank of
hose states known for their progress !
i've and constructive policies and adopt /
his much needed reform in the execu- 4
we department
In conclusion, permit me to remind I
on that YOU are the chosen representa- 4