Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-03-03
R[C()N ONE OF four
STATES NOT HAVING
LIEUT., GOVERNOR

lLUl. VUiLMsUhI
g one of only four states III
tn in which the secretary OF
US 49, s.oomes governor on the inabi'-
sA'' :. ,ha regular incumbent to serve.
~ : ,,ns TO the legislative committee
' W. - urepare an argument on the
n'''' "a constitutional amendment
p'Ops ps,ng for gubernatorial succession
pfoN,uas rss filed with the secretary oi
sn''n osflce this morning for publiea-
iias sas' n The official voters pamphlet.
uVr M :, states in the union. the arsn-
ls =, aselares. provide for guberra-
hs", secession similar to that pro-
ioilL ,s IN the proposed constitutional
aadu,ent '~s to be voted on at the May
ans .'.,or by which the president of the
s's'. ~ would be made first in line OF
..ss;on S in the event of the death,
a~Oyal from office or disability OF
~ rovernor with the speaker of the
~ .ao sacond in line of succession.
~s;rtv.tvo states in the union, the
..aament shows, provide for a lieu.eD-
~ Governor which provision the peo-
i" % If the state defeated by an over
wbelmIng majority at the June, 1919,
election.
Personnel of Committee.
Senators Gus c. Moser and w. w.
psrts and Representatives John +.
cotfev D. C. Lewis and C. Z. WOOD
San sponsor the argument in favor of
ibe measure. All members of the lesis-
,o,ivs committee are from Multnomah
eonntv with the exception of Woodson
who Is from Umatilla county. The
measure was drafted by Senators Mos
or and Banks and represents an e,ev-
euth-hour compromise over a measure
which had been previously introduced
for a resurrection of the lieutenan.-
governorship in this state.
The argument is as follows:
There are forty eight states in the
American union. Thirty-two states
have constitutional provision for a
lieutenant governor. Ten states pro-
vide for a succession as is provided
in this amendment. Only four states
provide that the secretary of state
shall become governor in case of q
vacancy and Oregon is one of them
The three states other than Oregon
where the secretary of state becomes
governor in case of vacancy, are the
comparatively unimportant states Of
Arizona, Utah and Wyoming. The ten
states having constitutional provision
similar to the one you are about to
vote upon are Arkansas, Florida, Geor-
gia, Kansas, Maine Maryland N. "
Hampshire, New Jersey. Tennessee and
West Virginia. Even the three states
Of Arizona, Utah and Wyoming, where
the secretary of state succeeds to the
goYernorship in case of vacancy, ~
not confer upon their governor and
secretary Of state the great powers
conferred in Oregon. Here the COVER
nor and secretary Of state are each
members of the board Of control con-
slstlng of three members of which the
STATE treasurer is the third. This is thu
most important board in the state. and
mas control of practically all of the
STATE government and institutions, ana
ander our system of government, ,ne
ornamental principle underlyig IL A..
IS mat three men shall have this res
pOhSlDillty, AT present, when the sec
ie'ary OF state becomes governor, he
assumes the duties Of both offices ard
may draw the salary Of both if he
chooses. But whether he does, or do IS
nO'' araw both salaries, he at once be
eones the whole board and has abso-
iu'e control of all state institutions. in
uirect conflict with the fundamental
principle that three men shall share
'hls responsibility.
Oregon Case Cited.
uhder recent decision of our sup
.sHie court by vote of, four to three,
'le secretary Of state not only becomes
eo'ernor in case of vacancy. until
'He next general election, but for the
uneapired term of the governor whom
ne succeeds, even though such term
,Asn' extend nearly four years beyond
'ne term for which such person had
as'usily been elected as secretary OF
.saW' ON system OF government con-
IMP ,s"'p,a.es that the people shall have
ne risht to fill vacancies at the very
sai,'est opportunity, viz, the next gen.
s,S e'A election Our present constitu-
son as construed by ourssupreme court
''arss ."rs the people that right.
ine following might be assigned
T.. oriet statement of reasons favor
s he Proposed amendments:
4 twill permit the people to select
so,, sOVernor at the first regular election
h,OS'ns wh,st a vacancy in that office
nau NIL cannot now be, done.s The goyci
nj. n,..s 81 selected to serve for the unex.
erno. s portion Of the term of the go Z
40 rS'tVuSiy elected. +
bn.I., !. y will abolish the present un.
aS,nesslllte rsS,lllte and highly improper ar.
tba easement Ssaa whereby one may occup,
ma, T's'Ge OF governor and draw an an.
sam. AM, salary of 100000. and. at The
,ars s,'ne' occupy the office of secre.
sals-, ~ state and draw an additiona
'aiary OF $450O.O0 N'''V'''-
bsis.t ala y Will abolish the present un.
ma anCed arrangement whereby on,
o,s,ay ~, may occupy two of the prlncipa'
ess, .Vss OF the state simultaneously anf
sta,. Two votes out of three on tn.
on - e,, BOARD Of control and two vote,
pr..a.a numerous other state boards. Tbs
,sesss ssen' system has no place IN th'
ne y of popular government
STATE ny WIN prevent secretary ol
" uO 1nhnrf4..