The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-02-20

rssnnodlor The passage o! me last menllon-
cd act were, that il wac more proper that
tho duties of the Canal Commissioners
should be exercised by persons appointed
by snd having the confidence of the Execu-
tive, fer the time being, than TO have the
whole internal improvement system, under
the control and direction of persons, who
may not harmonze with the Executive in
opinion, while lie is, in measure at least,
held responsible for the administration of
the Government.
Every set OF men have the right, sup
pose, to change their opinions, when and
as often as they please; but confess l find
some difficulty in keeping pace with some
OF the changes OF modern times; Tor what
was then right cannot now be considered
wrong.
There is another and to my mind an in
insupcrable objection 10 vesing the power
in The Legislature, as provided in this Bill;
and that is. the fact that from the manner
in which the State is dislricied for Senators
and Representatives by the ac, of 10Th June
1896, the political character of both branch
es of til Legislature does net correspond
with that of a majority Of the people of this
State; and it is impossible not to see that
the effect Of the Bill in question, will be to
give political complexion to the Board Of
Canal Commissioners, different from that
of majority of the people. The whole
object OF the Bill is, TO remove from Office
men holding one set of political opinions,
and TO appoint political opponents 10 their
stead. Any ai.emptto conceal il from the
people betrays gross ignorance Of their
understanding and intelligence. l con-
ceive it 10 be a duty which owe to them
10 speak thus plainly and explicitly on the
subject,
The appointing power is the most EN-
barrassing part Of the Executive duties.
have no desIe to increase its amount. nor
even TO retain that which is now vested in
the Governor, where il can be safely exer-
cised elsewhere. If a change is deemed es-
sential to the prosperity of the public work
and that the power of appointment of Ca
nal Commissioners is not safe in the hands
Of the executive, have no desire to retain
it. Let it go directly TO the whole people,
at their annual elections The Legislature
will at all times find me ready to co operate
with them, in enabling the people 10 elect
all officers, whose appointment is not es.
pecially provided for in the Constitution;
but never can sanction law which takes
away, not only the rights of the Executive
but the people, and gives powers to the
Legislature not contemplated by the Con.
s!itution, and whca,in my judgment, would
be usurpation Of power by the Legislature,
pregnant with evil. However indisposed |
may be 10 retain all the powers of the Exc
eutive, il is my sworn duty to protect the
rights Of the people from Legislative en-
croachmenss, and intend TO do il.
The issue is now before the people Of
this Commonwealth for decision; and with
mat decisions ~ Esafsjdru majority 4 de-
teimine thatI have done wrong in refusing
10 sanction this change in the mode OF ap-
pointing Canal Commissioners, that this
contemplated alteration is wise, prudent and
sale--and that better selections would have
been made by the two Houses of the Leg
islature than by the people, or the Execu.
tive, they can easily proclaim this opinion,
and execute their purpose by some other
Executive agentbut if they think Otherwise
Iii they agree with me--f they can see
in the proposed system only political scram-
bling for Office, discord and dssension, they
will also pronounce that judgment for the
guidance OF our fortune course, and will thus
settle on certain basis, the organization of
the Board Of Canal Commissioners, in ref
srence to which. we now unfortunately, en-
tertsin such conflicting opinions.
DAVID r. PORTER.
Executive Chamber,1
Feb. 10, lS4l.