State

THE STATE Page Eleven November 11, 1933 FAGTS ABOUT OUR STATE GOVERNMENT No. 1 — The Governor’s Office (This is the first of a series of ar¬ ticles to appear in Тик St.atk depict¬ ing for the information of Tar Heels who mag or mag not be familiar with the ramifications of their government, the hislorg, activities ami personnel of the various depart incuts of the state of North Carolina. The second article of the scries will appear in an early issue). By W. J. SADLER ★ II is seemly that this series of articles on persons and things which make North Carolina’s state govern¬ ment click should begin with the office of the Chief Executive, His Excel¬ lency, Governor John С. B. Ehring- haus, the only native of Pasquotank County ever to hold that high posi¬ tion. Mr. Ehringhnint is the 102nd gover¬ nor this state has had since the United State gained its independence, and the •list to be elected hy a direct vote of the people. During the period of 1776- 1885, the state’s chief officers were elected by the legislature. Sixtv-one were chosen by that method, each serving a one-year term. The one-year terms continued until 1835. From then until 1868, the terms were for two years, and since those days of almost three-quarters of a cen¬ tury ago. four-year terms have been the vogue. Prior to America’s determination to seek u place in the sun bv severing all governmental tics with Great Brit¬ ain. forty-six men had held the dis¬ tinction of ruling this newest unit of England’s far-flung colonial posses¬ sions. Two of tlies*', Ralph Lane and John White, were appointed by Sir Walter Raleigh, and were known ns "Governors of ‘Virginia’.” Twenty-nino held the title of “Chief Executives Under the Proprietors,” be¬ ginning with William Drummond in 1663, and ending with Richard Ever- ard in 1728. According to historical records, the chief executive was ap¬ pointed at the pleasure of the Proprie¬ tors, " and his chief duty was to repre¬ sent them anil not the people." Governor J. С. B. Ehringhous From 1738 to 1775, North Carolina was a “Crown Colony,” eleven men serving as “Governors Under the Grown,” and during 1775 and 1776, three men governed the slate ns “Pres¬ idents of the Provincial Council.” They were Cornelius Harnett, Samuel Ashe ami Willie Jones. Mr. Ashe served three more terms after the Col¬ onies gained their independence, bend¬ ing the state government from 1795 to 1798. Richard Caswell, of Dobbs County, which was coui|M>scd of parts of what are now Lenoir, Greene and Wayne counties, was the state’s first governor after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He served four terms, retiring in 1780, and again was named by the legislature in 1785, serv¬ ing three more terms. Of the 148 chief executives under whom North Carolina has been ruled since 1585, only one has been subjected to impeachment proceeding». In 1869 impeachment charges were preferred against W. W. Holden, of Wake County, and he was found guilty and removed from office, Mr. Holden previously had nerved as governor for about nine months in 1865. succeeding North Carolina's “War Governor.*’ Zebulon B. Vance. Following the cessation of hostilities between the North and South, Mr. Vance was removed from office and imprisoned by Union authorities, who appointed Mr. Holden a* his successor. However, Mr. Vance later returned to power in the state, occupying the guber¬ natorial office from 1877 through 1879, and then going to the I'nitod State* Senate. During the hectic Recent ruction Day», the aftermath of the War Be¬ tween the States, Jonathan Worth, of Randolph County, was forced out of office hy carpet-baggers and other self- seeking politicians with which North Carolina was over-run. He was suc¬ ceeded by Holden. Only two governors have die*! in of¬ fice during the last century. They were John W. Ellis, of Rowan County, the state’s chief executive at the out¬ break of the Civil War. ami D. G. Fowle, of Wake County. Mr. Ellis died in 1861, and Mr. Fowle’* death occurred 30 years later. The office of the Chief Executive is the cog upon which all other wheel» of the state government revolve, and it must function in perfect order. Un¬ der the present constitution the duties of the governor are many ami varied. He is Commandor-in-Chief of t In- militia of the state, except when those forces are called into service of t In- United States; he is the “sole official organ” of communication U>tween tin- government of this slat.- and other states or the government of the United States; he is required to make appoint¬ ments for such offices whose directing heads are not elected by the |и-ор|е, and he is empowered to call *|мчча1 sessions of the General Assembly when- even, in his judgment, it is wise and expedient to do so. The Governor of North Carolina is the only Chief Executive in the United States who is denied the veto power. A referendum on this question will In- held at the general elections in No¬ vember, 1934, when the people of fin- slate will also vote on other proposed amendments to the state constitution. The present governor, Mr. Ehriug- haus, whose youthful appearance Is- lies Ills years, has shown himself to be possessed of numerous excellent traits and characteristics. During his eleven months as Captain of the Ship of State, he has met issue after issue and problem after problem in n far¬ sighted and courageous manner, and ( Continued on page twenty-two)