Cogswell, Marjory K.2023-07-032023-07-031915https://hdl.handle.net/1794/2846615 pagesOur forefathers tried by two methods to gain an “government of the people, by the people, for the people” -- first they split up the power of government into many distinct offices so that the power of each office holder was limited; then they elected these office holders by public election. The power of government was divided into three parts dash the legislative, executive and judicial departments. Each had its own duties, which could not be assumed by the others, and each was to act as a check or balance on the other two. Then for fear that too much power might be left in the hands of one office holder, each department was divided. The executive power was divided into the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, etc. Each of these officers was made independent in his own field. The legislative department was divided into two bodies, and the courts were divided-- there was created justices of the peace, municipal courts, probate courts, criminal courts, circuit courts, etc. The splitting up of power among many office holders, each elected by popular election has brought about the much talked of long ballot. With the development of the country and the decentralization of government power has increased and the burden upon the electorate has become each year more heavy. The task of obtaining sufficient information about candidates long ago passed beyond what even the very intelligent citizens could fulfill and still maintain his place in competitive industry.enCreative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0-USgovernment branchescourt systemsvotingThesis / Dissertation