Their corruption began with the domination of the political machine; and it is during the last two generations that their powers and responsibilities have been more and more restricted.

They have undoubtedly been more corrupt and incompetent in proportion as they have been increasingly deprived of power; but the restrictions imposed upon them have been as much an effect as a cause of their corruption.

There is a deeper reason for their deficiencies; and this reason is connected with mal-adaptation of the whole system of American state government to its place in a Federal system.

The Federal organization took away from the states a number of the most important governmental functions, and in certain respects absolutely subordinated the state to the nation.

In this way the actual responsibilities and the powers of the state governments were very much diminished, while at the same time no sufficient allowance for such a diminution was made in framing their organization.