The Alaska daily empire., 1921-05-04
USURPATION OF EXECUTIVE POWERS.

At each of the last several sessions of the Alaska Legislature there has been developed sentiment in favor of divesting the executive branch of ment in this Territory of functions that it is in tended, under system Of government, it should perform At times this sentiment has gone far that it has been seriously suggested that the Legs lature should of the duties itself. In fact in instances the Legislature has como very close to the mark of ursurping executive powers
 -fot instance, in designating certain members Of the Legislature constitute the Board of Education and, again, in appointing the Territorial Fish Com mission.
 Under the American system of government a set forth in the National and State Constitutions and in the Organic Acts of Territories, including the Organic Act of Alaska the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government made inde- pendent of each other. The legislative authority is invested men, and sometimes women, \chosen by election from the body of the people. These egis- lators taken from the various walks life to devote such time may be necessary the makina of laws, rules and regulations for the conduct O. the government An executive is selected by election in the Nation at large and in the States and by ap- pointment of the President the Territories to b, the head of the executive branch of the to execute the laws enacted by the Legislature Tho executive is also given certain legislative duties He advise the Legislature from time to time as to the state of affairs and the needs the Natoi. State or Territory, the may be- and he ie given the power of legislation, a power that must control unless a two-thirds majority O. each house of the legislative branch of the govern ment vote to override it.
 The fundamental difference between the American system of government and the English system which has served as model for Canada and other British colonies and most of the countries of Europe is th- independence of the different branches of government rom each other-particularly the conining of the legislative branch lawmakng
 It might be that the English system would wors better than the American system, but they do no mix If our Legislatures were authorized to mee oftener and certain members of them could be desig- hated to remain in office between sessions as g eoserhmeht' With one of them Premier, having absolute powers in the execution laws it would DC possibie to make the test. But in Alaska in most of the States the Legislatures are in session TOT bref period each two years. When the Leg lsature adjourns its become private citizens Ihey nave absolutely jurisdiction or authority ex cept when ihey are in session as Legislatures
 Legislatures should elect officials or boards the men selected would be responsible to no one uhti the Legislatures should again--in Alaska alter a lapse of two There would be no power vested n any one to remove from office any one who should prove incompetent, undesireable or corrupt Or 10 veto any inconsistent act. There could be nc respohsipie government That is why the National constitution invests the executive powers in the Fresideht' permits him to choose his assistants sub ordnates and the personnel of the public service II eliminates the division of authority in the executive branch Of the government permits of cooperation ara responsibility in the execution of the laws There IS man at the head of things And in this respee, the States have followed more less closely the pol icy or the Federal Government. That is why there Is demand all over the country for the shorter ballots in States, Counties and Cities
 Those who this is democratic do not understand democracy. They mistake the meaning of government They hark back to the days when the officials were supposed to be the government rather than servants It is the duty of the Leeis- latures to provide the laws. rules and regulations Then servants of the people selected to carry