Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-01-13

ness and mercy.
In the late contest with Mexico, this Com
monweaih was called upon by the Nationa
: Government, TO furnish portion of the troop:
deemed necessary by the constituted authors
ties to carry the war to successful issue
With this requisition it is scarcely necessary
to state, our Commonwealth complied with
the alacrity which has heretofore distinguish
ed her among her sister republics. A large
volunteer force was instantly placed at the
disposal of the National Government, and il
is matter Of just pride TO their fellow ci,i-
zens that in the discharge of every duty,
these volunteers maintained the honor of the
State, and the renown of their country. The
citizen soldier who fortunately escaped death,
has returned to his family and friends, after
having earned for himself and the State, a
reputation for undaunted bravery, for endu-
ring and patient suffering and manly and he-
roic virtue, that the future annaist will delight
10 record
II is due 10 these patriotic citizens, that
this commonwealth do some act as an ac-
knowledgement of their past illustrious SER
vices. To the memory of the dead who fell
III the service of their country, it is the duty
OF the State TO erect a suitable monument
that their bravery and virtue may be endu-
rlngly remembered, and their heroic sacrifice
emulated in other times, should the honor and
safety OF the country require it from future
generations.
Since the adjournment of the last Legisla-
ture, the Chief Executive Officer of the Com
monwealth. the late Governor Shnnk, has
sunk beneath the malady which then afflicted
him. He died on the Goth day of July, 1s4S
II will not be deemed improper in me to
say few words in reference TO the character
| of the llustri,1ls decea sed
The late Governor Skunk having spent
large portion of his life in the public service,
and having mingled much with his fellow
citizens, was well and extensively known
throughout the State, and it is with pleasure
the circumstance is recalled TO my mind, that
at one period of his life, I had the honor to
enjoy his intimate personal friendship.
During our intimacy, it always gave him
great pleasure to aid and assist the young and
inexperienced TO relieve the distressed, and
TO impart 10 his fellow men by words of kind
ness, and deeds of charity, as large share of
happiness as his condition would allow.
His intercourse with others was courteous,
his friendships were lasting, his attachments
strong and enduring, while his resentments
for injuries were transitory and made no per-
manent impression in his bosom. 1t may
with truth be said of Governor Skunk, that
he was sincere friend, good neiehbor,
pure Christian and an honest man. Such was
the reputation he sustained among his fellow
citizens when my intimacy with him, gave
me knowledge of his character, and al
though difference of political views separa-
ted us for many years before his death, his
| friends, at later period of his life, have
borne testimony that the same purity of in
tention and desire of well doing remained
with him until the hour of his dissolution.
The Legislature is respectfully invited 10
take such action in relation 10 the decease of
the first Chief Magistrate of the Common
wealth, whose death occurred during the pc
| riod for which he was elected, as may be
deemed most appropriate to express IFS SYM
| pathy for the sorrow and bereavement of the
surviving relatives, and to testify its respect
| for the memory of the virtues of the distin-
guished dead.
Prior to the decease of Governor Skunk
on the 9th day of July, ls4s, as appears by
the records in the State Department, he re-
signed the office of Governor of this Common
wealth, and thereupon, under the provisions
of the 14th section of the End article of the
Constitution, which declares, that "in case of
the death or resignation of the Governor, or
of his removal from office, the Speaker of
the Senate shall exercise the Office of Co
vernon, until another Governor shall be duly
qualified" the duties of the Executive De-
pariment of the Government devolved on me.
Official information of the act of resignation.
did not reach me until the 17th day of July,
1913. The section OF the constitution herein
referred TO also declared in reference 10 the
same subject that Sin such case another Go
vernon shall be chosen at the next annual e.
lection OF Representatives. unless such death
resignation or removal shall occur within
three calendar months Immediately preced-
ing such next annual election in which case
Governor shall be chosen at the second
succeeding annual election of Representa-
tives.n BY the 34th section of the act of the
General Assembly relating to the elections of
this Commonwealth, it is provided, that Sin
case any vacancy shall occur in the Office of
Governor of this Commonwealth, more than
three calendar months next preceding the
Tuesday in October in any year, it shall be
the duty of the Speaker of the Senate, or
whoever shall be in the exercise OF the
Office of GOVERNOR to issue his writs 10
the Sheriffs of the several counties, requi-
ring them TO give the usual notice, that an
election to supply such vacancy will take
place on the second Tuesday in October next
thereafter, and when such vacancy occurs
within three calendar months before the Sec
ond Tuesday in October, it shall be the duty
of the Speaker of the Senate, or whoever shall
be in the exercise of the office of Governor to
issue his wrs as aforesaid, requiring notice
of such election on the second Tuesday in
October next, after the issuing Of said writ,
aud in each case said writ shall issue at least
three calendar months before the election"
An examination of the constitutional provi.
sions; the act of Assembly and the circum.
stances Of the resignation, will satisfy you,
that while the resignation occurred more
than three months before the next annual
election of Representatives it took place at
time rendering acompliance with the act of
assembly in relation TO the issuing OF writs,
utterly impossible. In this view of the case,
it might have been deemed compliance
with duty, TO have refrained from all interfe-
rance in the matter, inasmuch as events had
put it out of my power to comply with The
Terms of the act Of Assembly, directory oftke
mode in which the Constitutional provision OH
the subject should be carried into effect
j, After a full and careful examination Of the
whole matter, | believed it my duty TO issue
the writs requiring notice 10 be given, THAT an
election would be duly held on the second