But a system which was adapted to the comprehensive task of securing the welfare of a whole people might well fail as an engine of merely local government,--even though the local government retained certain major political functions.

As a matter of fact, such has been the case.

The system of a triple division of specific powers, each one of which was vigorous in its own sphere while at the same time checked and balanced by the other branches of the government, has certain advantages and certain disadvantages.

Its great advantage is its comparative safety, because under it no one function of government can attain to any dangerous excess of power.

Its great disadvantage consists in the division of responsibility among three independent departments, and the possibility that the public interest would suffer either from lack of cooeperation or from actual conflicts.