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the nation at large.[1] 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 revoke.[2]
The governor is an elected magistrate, and is generally chosen for one or two years only; so that he always continues to be strictly dependant on the majority who returned him.
POLITICAL EFFECTS OF THE SYSTEM OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
Necessary Distinction between the general Centralization of Government, and the Centralization of the local Administration.—Local Administration not centralized in the United States; great general Centralization of the Government.—Some bad Consequences resulting to the United States from the local Administration.—Administrative Advantages attending this Order of things.—The Power which conducts the Government is less regular, less enlightened, less learned, but much greater than in Europe.—Political Advantages of this Order of things.—In the United States the Interest of the Country are everywhere kept in View.—Support given to the Government by the Community.— Provincial Institutions more necessary in Proportion as the social Condition becomes more democratic.—Reason of this.
Centralization is become a word of general and daily use, without any precise meaning being attached to it. Nevertheless, there exist two distinct kinds of centralization, which it is necessary to discriminate with accuracy.
