American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-12-20


bes, routes as their lsbors may have enabled them
10 collect. Without, in any manner, presum'ng 10
anticipate or remark upon, the report which VIII oe
made, il i. believed 10 be strictly within the line OF
the governors duty TO suggest the advantages 20 oe
gained by waiting for full and perfect information
be fore any irretrievable steps shall be taken IN the
great works which the state contempla,es and VIII
ere long undertake.
II is pa,ural that every citizen, and still more, ev
erv public fupc,ionary should feel anxious to adopt
a right course when the commonwealth IS about
10 engage in works which will require much Time.
mlious of money and the labor oil many thousaho
hands Iuust, therefore, that shall be excused II
an over anxiety Tor The public veal and ]uoi'
cious expenditure Of the public money shouio tempt
me TO be too difuse in relation TO the projected INES
Of communication, between our eastern and western
boundaries. A preliminary Of infinite importance
is . careful inquiry into the state OF our finances
and our means FULLY TO accomplish what We are
about TO undertake.
La sums appropriated under former admins
alions have 10 the last year, been drawn from the
public treasury. And although the aggregate rev.
enue Of the commonwealth has increased, yet as
dmnution has been experienced in more Than one
department OF the government, but particularly IN
that OF the land Office, strict examination into the
state OF our 6Dsnces and prudent and rigid econo-
my in its expenditure woud well become US as pub
| lie agents. Convinced as Pennsy lvania always has
been of the value OF state rights and determined 10
pro,ec, them, while she would avoid all infringe
mens on the rights Of the general government, "
may not be deemed improper 10 remark, that al
time when the abundant revenue oil the United States
government is enabling it rapidly 10 discharge all
its obligations, ii would be but sound policy in the
state government TO take special thst they do
not involve themselves in debt without at the same
time providing for its gradual redemption, which.
by an Unforeseen here alter chance might comprom
their rights endanger any portion oil their So
veregniy.
| For some months the public mind ct our state ha'
been seriously and beautifully exercised. "A mos,
| important question has been discussed ana acteo
upon with moderation. beraliiy and temper ans e.
credilable 10 our population. The constitution Of
Pennsylvania which in peace and IN war, for thirty
| FIVE years had shielded our rights, promoted the
prosperity OF the commonwealth and the happiness
of its citizens, being supposed TO have had engra.ted
upon il some principles no, in accordance with the
public sentiment, it was thought wise and prudent,
by a majority Of the last general assembly, to test
its standing in public opinion and ascertain, by a
vote OF the people, whether it should or should no,
| be submitted TO convention to undergo such alter
atoms and amendments time and experience
should have suggested. In this appeal TO The sober
judgment and sound principles OF our fellow CHI
zens, felt it my d5'y 10 acquiesce, and without
hesitancy, signed the bill which to put the ques
ion for against convention, to the cote OF those
who we're most deeply interested in the issue, and
in the wisdom of whose determination, /, in com.
mon with the other constituted author tes was rea.
DIV and willing TO subni,.-The question has been
put and answered The constitution has passed the
ordeal Of public opinion. A large majority Of the
voters have declare against convention. While
We as in duty bound bow to the sovereign will ful
ly and fatty expressed, let redoube efforts
to administer the several provisions Of the consiitu-
tuition to il to shed additional blessings up
on the community and give additional protection to
the rights Of the people. The cool and disposition
ate manner in which the merits OF question, so
vitality important was discussed, while i; evidences
the intelligence and sober mDdedness Of The people
gives pledge Of the permanence of our writ
ten constituiion-an improvement in tie science oil
government for which the human race are indebted
to the United States.
i One OF the most wholesome injunctions Of The
constitution has fear been too much neglected
4" Every man." says that instrument for an injury
done him in his lands, goods, person reputation
shall have remedy By the due course OF law and
right and justice be administered without sale, de
NAL or delay" Has this provision Of the conslitu
ton been carried into full effect, or has it been loo
much Of dead letter : Is justice promptly admin
istered Had not former legislatures extended the
jurisdiction OF magistrates, TO enable them &c
determine an immense number OF all the questions
Irrigated in Pennsylvania, the streams of Justice
might have become stagnant. Would that the wis.
dom OF the present general assembly could devise
some remodelling. some new division or organiza.
ton OF the powers Of the judiciary that would faci
tate the despatch Of public business. Many and
loud are the complaints which reach the executive, on
this subject, and most happy shall be to give my
ready assent to any plan the legislature may devise
promising more prompt administration OF justice
In maturing such system the necessity of NOR
numerous and widely dHused supreme court canno.
fail to present iiself.-While on this topic, would
recommend thorough revision and consolidation