He would, in addition, appoint all state officials except the legislative council, and perhaps the judges of the highest court.

On the other hand, he would be limited by the recall and he could not get any important legislative measure on the statute books except after severe technical criticism, and express popular consent.

He could accomplish nothing without the support of public opinion; yet he could be held absolutely responsible for the good government of the state.

A demagogue elected to a position of such power and responsibility might do a great deal of harm; but if a democratic political body cannot distinguish between the leadership of able and disinterested men and self-seeking charlatans, the loss and perhaps the suffering, resulting from their indiscriminate blindness, would constitute a desirable means of political education,--particularly when the demagogue, as in the case under consideration, could not really damage the foundations of the state.

And the charlatan or the incompetent could be sent into retreat just as soon as exposed.