The Winslow mail., 1923-01-12

whelming triumph of militant demo-
cracy and the simultaneous election
OF forward looking men to high posi-
tiOn of trust and responsibility in the
affairs of the government of this
Nation, vindicate the principles Of
| popular government. These prin-
ciples have long been synonymous
with democracy and disclose a re-
| markable growth of progressive
ideals. The almost unanimous de-
termination on the part of the peo-
pie to assume full control of the gov
ernment which, while over them, is
rightfully of and for them, marks
decided epoch in the history of the
advancement of civilization and poll
tical freedom.
The Democratic party in Arizona
based it's appeal for the suffrage of
the voters on it's declarations set out
in its platform, and made pledges
which must now be translated into
law. The promises made in the plat
form are binding upon every Demo-
cratic officer of the State
The Democratic platform is too long
to review in detail In the course of
this message l shall refer to some of
its pledges, not singing them out as
of more Importance than others, but
to add some suggestions concerning
such legislation.
Responsibility in Government.
The government of the State is
composed of three separate and dis
tinct departments-the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial. The duties of
each department are defined in the
Constitution. Each branch of the
government has responsibilities pecu-
liarly belonging to it.
The executive branch of the gov
ernment is concerned primarily with
the administration and the enforce
ment of the laws.
Any laws which would tend to
hamper or restrict the efficient exer-
else of the authority of the admins
trative branch of the government are
not for the best interest of the State.
Previous legislatures, for one cause
! or another, have at various times en-
acted laws, which provided for the
creation of various offices, boards or
commissions, in which the terms of
the officers or commissioners were
fixed for definite periods of time.
When the people of the State of
Arizona elect the Governor and other
administrative officers they hold them
responsible for the administration of
the affairs of the State Government.
! The Governor of the State in particul-
ar is held responsible for the admi-
nistration. While in theory and in
! fact the law may provide otherwise,
and he may have nothing to do with
administering the affairs of certain
! offices, yet the electorate as rule
does not investigate to ascertain
whether or not he may be actually
responsible if anything proves un-
satisfactory.
Certain laws which contain pro-
visions that appointive officers there
in designated, shall hold office for
period longer than the term of the
official making the appointment, do
not tend to carry out the idea that
officers elected by the people shall
be responsible to the people for the
conduct of the government of the
State
In this connection | desire to call
your attention to the various officers,
boards and commissions which may
be considered as coming within the
purpOrt of this portion of my mes
sage. They may be divided into three
categories:
First-Boards and commissions
composed of several State officers.
Second Officers, boards and COM
missions appointed by the Governor
whose terms of office extend beyond
the term of the Governor making the
appointment.
Third Administrative positions
created by the Legislature, wherein
the Legislature appoints the officials.
The attention of the Legislature is
called to the fact that the law which
created the Land Board was vetoed
by the Governor, but was passed by
the Legislature over the Governors
veto. The administration of the af
fairs of the Land Board made it
matter of political controversy in
several State campaigns.
I have always been a firm believer
that elected officials should assume
the responsibility for the administra
ton of the affairs of their several
offices. I therefore recommend that
the law creating the Land Boards be
amended and that the authority to ap
point the Land Commissioner be vest
ed in the Governor.