The growing power of the governor

Abstract

Text from page 29: "The tendency toward a decline in the power and position of the legislature and a corresponding enhancement of that of the executive is one which has been widely observed and commented upon. Probably so single tendency is so evident or so important in modern government. There has, however, as yet been no detailed study of the process by which this transformation has taken or is taking place. It is a general tendency which may be observed in the government of all countries, yet the statutory and constitutional changes which reflect the changes which it has produced and is producing toward this general purpose it is the object of this essay to attempt to trace the development of the power of the executive in Missouri since the beginning of the state's history. It has been possible in this study only to follow the growth of the governor's power as it is exhibited in the constitutions, constitutional amendments and statutes. And this, because of limitations of time, has not been pursued farther than through the constitution of 1875."