Opinion of the Justices to the Governor

To His Excellency, the Governor of the Commonwealth:

The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court respectfully reply to the questions set forth in the Governor’s request dated December 4, 1975, and transmitted to the Justices on December 5, 1975.

In substance, the request states the following: On November 8, 1975, the Legislature enacted St. 1975, c. 684, which “purports in sections 8A and 25C ... to make certain approvals by the House and Senate Committees on Ways *991and Means a condition precedent to the lawful appointment and promotion of virtually all personnel within the executive branch.” The…