Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-01-13
OLD SERIES VOL. Q, NO. Ie.

to surrender it into his hands The organic law
required the election, and the Legislative en-
aclment should be so construed as moi TO con-
) travene the Constitutional provision. Had the
terms OF the Constitution and laws clearly
given different position 10 The question,
however unpleasant the task of performing
the duties of the office without the endorse.
ment of the peoples will, they would have
been faithfully executed.
In assuming as Speaker Of the Sehate. the
exercise of Executive functions, although not
deeming it absolutely necessary, prudence
suggested the propriety of being sworn 10 a
faithful discharge. of the Executive duties,
and an oath to that effect was administered
to me by the honorable the Speaker of the
House of Representatives
A law requiring in all cases of death or re-
signaiion Of the Governor, or of his removal
from office; that writs to the Sherihs of the
different counties shall be issued as soon as
the Speaker of the Senate shall be officially
informed of such death, resignation or re-
moval, and requiring, further, that the officer
assuming Executive functions should be
sworn in the same manner and to the same
effect as in case of Chief Magistrate induc-
ted into office, determining also the person
authorized to administer the oath, would OBJ
viate future doubts, and the same is respect
Z.
1t is worthy the attention of the Legislature
and the people, that no provision exists in the
Constitution in the contingency of the death,
or inability to serve of the Speaker of the Sen.
ate alter the death, resignation, or removal of
the Governor, for the election of a presiding
magistrate. Such an event happening, the
government would be left without a constitu-
tional officer to carry on its operations. An
omission OF such importance should be supplied
at the earliest possible period
Resolutions expressive of the profound sor-
row of the legislature, for the death of that
illustrious patriot and sage, John Quincy
Adams, and of coincidence for the family in
their bereavement, were passed BY that body
a, its last session; and the Executive was d.
rected 10 transmit the same to the widow and
family of the deceased The letter of the
late Executive in the performance of that
duty, and the reply of the venerable survivor,
are herewith transmitted.
The attention of the Legislature having
been called 10 the neglected and suffering
condition of the insane poor of the State, an
act was passed on the 14th day of April, ls4S
providing for the establishment of all ASYLUM
for itis unfortunate class of our INDECENT pop.
ulation, 10 be located within ten miles of the
seat of government. The commissioners
named in this act, with funds contributed for
the purpose by humane and benevolent cti-
zens of Harrisburg, aided by liberal appro.
priaton made from the treasury of Dauphin
County, purchased farm of about 1870 acres,
eligibly situated within mile and half Of
the State Capitol In January, 1916, these
commissioners made report to the Legisla-
ture, in which they stated, that on a critical
examination of the aforesaid act, such defects
we're apparent, that they did not conceive
themselves justified in proceeding with the
building, or in making any expenditure of the
sum appropriated by the State, towards its
erection, until some modification shorld be
made in the law under which they were acting
To remedy these defects supplementary act
was passed, on the 1lih day of April, is4s,
upon which the commissioners forthwith a
dopted measures for the commencement of
the work. AplaR for the proposed building
was adopted, and a contract was made with
| an experienced architect and builder for it's
construction. A considerable portion of the
materials as | am informed, has been provi-
| ded; the excavation OF the cellars and found
alton has been made the laying of the stone
masonry commenced, and the hydraulic ap.
paratus for rising water 10 the building neatly
completed. OF the appropriation made on
account of this building, a warrant has been
drawn for $4,000, of which only S2,726 05
has been expended. Itis hoped and believed
that the work will be forwarded with as much
despatch as is consistent with prudence and d
proper regard for the comforts and restoration
of the afflicted insane poor.
By the act of the 4th of May. 1871, enti.
tied "An act TO provide revenue TO meet the
demands on the treasury, and for other pur-
poses,n certain banks were authorized to sub
scribe for a loan TO the commonwealth, to an
|
stated, on their respective capitals the a;
mount of such loan 10 be placed in the trea.
sury for the use thereof, in notes of said banks
ofihe denomination of one two and five dol,
lars. By the terms of the law, the loan was
redeemable at any time within five years,
and was peremptory that it should he paid,
and the notes authorized TO be issued, with
drawn from circulation on or before the 4th
day of MAY, 1916. The act also provided,
that the banks issuing said notes should re-
ceive them at par value in payment of debts
due these institutions. 1t was thought, that
by making their redemption dependant on
the faith of the State, as well as on that of
the banks by which they were issued, safe
ard reliable currency would be constituted,
while the State would be largely beneiitted
by loan at one, instead OF five and SIX per
cent, as on previous occasions.
The notes thus issued, were. substantially.
the creatures of the banks TRsS constin-..
ted loan to the Commonwealth, We're requi-
red to be paid into the treasury in the msn-
ner prescribed in the law, ppd were redeem
able at their par value at the counters Of the
banks. and the circumstance of the faith of
the State in addition 10 that of the banks, be.
ing pledged for their redemption, could not
raise a rational doubt Of their consii,u,ionality
How far a subsequent act, passed the 3lst
day of May, 1874, by relieving the banks
from all responsibility touching their redemp.
tion and payment, thereby making them an
issue ON the part of the Commonwealth, re-
deemsble at the treasury alone, ccntravened
the Constitution of the United States, il is
no, necessary now to decide. grc
Under the provisions of the original act OF
The 4lh of May, ls4i the amount OF notes
issued was 2,22O,265 dolls, which was
specifically appropriated to the support OF the
government during the year, the payment OF
debts, and other special purposes therein
mentioned. Within two years thereafter, the
sum OF 1924 dolls; of said issue was fund
ed by the banks and converted into perma-
ID