The Executive Power Of The State
Office of Governor in an American State -The place he occupies
in relation to the Legislature -His rights and his duties -His
dependence on the people.
The executive power of the State may with truth be said to be
represented by the Governor, although he enjoys but a portion of its
rights. The supreme magistrate, under the title of Governor, is the
official moderator and counsellor of the legislature. He is armed with
a veto or suspensive power, which allows him to stop, or at least to
retard, its movements at pleasure. He lays the wants of the country
before the legislative body, and points out the means which he thinks
may be usefully employed in providing for them; he is the natural
executor of its decrees in all the undertakings which interest the
nation at large. [41] In the absence of the
legislature, the Governor is bound to take all necessary steps to guard
the State against violent shocks and unforeseen dangers. The whole
military power of the State is at the disposal of the Governor. He is
the commander of the militia, and head of the armed force. When the
authority, which is by general consent awarded to the laws, is
disregarded, the Governor puts himself at the head of the armed force of
the State, to quell resistance, and to restore order. Lastly, the
Governor takes no share in the administration of townships and counties,
except it be indirectly in the nomination of Justices of the Peace,
which nomination he has not the power to cancel.
[42] The Governor is an elected magistrate, and is
generally chosen for one or two years only; so that he always continues
to be strictly dependent upon the majority who returned him.
