The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-09-23

slaughtered animals and the like. j can
say TO you now that when the next
session of the Legislature ends, our OPP
ponents will have 70 reform their line
OF attack for the campaign of 1922.
THE problem of improving the adj
ninistration systems of the Federal and
of our State and local governments hes
engaged much attention OF late years
and been the subject Of much debate.
1.-THE various proposals for constitu-
tional amendments urged undoubtedly
have many elements of merit. A four
year term for the Office Of Governor
would no doubt give him longer time
to establish policies though a vigorous
administration can do much IN two
years, or nine months even. and two
years is quite long enough for an in-
effective administration.
There has been. there still il. and I
expect there always will be need OF
reorganization in the public service. We
have accomplished some plainly needed
, reorganizations. We should have at
tempted others but for constitutions
inhibitions, and there are still others
which time and experience will doubt
less suggest But my fundamental OBJ
lection to complete reorganization OF
the State government by constitutional
provision is that no one has as yet
suggested a plan SO manifestly perfect
as to justify its adoption beyond the
possibility Of change. except by the slow
process of constitutional amendment.
Three alternative proposals were
adopted by the Legislature OF 1920. sc
that the Legislature OF 1921 could take
its choice. and none was wholly salts
factory even to the most ardent advo
| Gates of reorga nization by constitu
| tional amendment. The State OF Massa
chusetts reorganized Its government il
| 1919 pursuant to constitutional amend
rnent, and ] notice that but lately .
| commission has been appointed in tha'
! State to study the subject of govern
mental organization.
Theorists with Unsafe Schemes.
Take, for example, the Institutions
problems None is more important IL
this State or more controversial. TIL,
different groups. the State hospitals, tht
| institutions for the feeble-minded, tho
| penal, reformatory, correctional and
| other so-calIed charitable institutions al
present problems. each peculiar to itself
] have been studying those problems.
| have visited and carefully inspected
| every one Of those institutions. I hop'
| to formulate and to promote certain
ueHnite lines OF poilcy WHICH DtlltN'
will MARE for Improvement.
"The more J know OF the subject th'
less am i willing in the Constitution
itself to classify those institutions and
10 set up a scheme OF administration
for them. but the paid secretaries 81
certain civic organizations, who have
the advantage of only theoretical and
therefore. infallible knowledge. can eivs
YOU a perfect scheme Of administration
out of hand safe 10 put at once into tn,
Constitution. ! think there are toC
many constitutional commissions and
| offices now. and the first change that
| would propose would be to take some Of
! them out of the Constitution to the enc
| that changes might be made from time
| to time b. statute. as experience should
| prove them to be wise.
"a DIM I'm istrn ton Important"
But II Is said that that will per-
NIT one administration to undo what
another has done. Those who advances
that argument overlook the fact that No
system however rigidly prescribed. car