The Georgetown news., 1856-01-17
Inaugural Address of Gov. Johnson.

|
the people Of this State, under the solemnity
of the oath | have Just subscribed in the
presence of this convention Of delegated rep
resentatives and vast concourse Of citizens
here assembled, [ find much to impress me
with a sense Of the onerous responsibilities
attaching to the gubernatorial office-the
most exalted position a State can bestow-
whilst at the same time, preference thus
manifested cannot fail to inspire me with
! the most profound sentiments of gratitude
towards those from whom | have received
this distinguished mark of confidence. Uni
versal custom demands of the incoming EX-
ecutive an indication of the general course
of policy by which he will be guided in the
administration of public affairs. A COM
pliance with this well-recognised usage is
mainly my present design, deferring to an
other and early occasion the specific recon-
mendations which may deem essential for
legislative consideration.
| With due Difference to such counsels as
have been potent in Incorporating into our
legislation practical exposition Of certain
distinctive features of the State Constitu-
tion-so opposite to the views entertained
! by myself cannot refrain, even at this
early day, from enumerating some of the
more prominent provisions of that inStru-
ment, and venturing to suggest my individ-
ual opinion of the proper construction to be
given them whereby the future action of
the Executive may be facilitated, and Off
cial intercourse with the legislative depart
ment Of the government most happily pro-
noted
In the first place, the subject of State in
debtedness is one affecting the most vital in
tereSts of our population, involving, as it
does, the reputation Of the State both at
home and abroad; and probably at the pres
ent time enliSts more general interest and
inquiry than all other matters connected
with the administration Of the public busin-
ess. That our deprecated credit may be
restored, and our obligations honorably re-
deemed, finds in all universal response
To the certain and speedy accomplishment
Of this desire, radical reforms must be re
sorted to, and IL more willing and close obe-
dience observed towards our constitutional
obligations.
In the study and investigation which l
have given the State Constitution, | find
nought that can reconcile with a proper
sense of duty, a disregard of any of its pro-
visions under the specious pretext that ne
ceSsity requires this or that feature should
be treated as dead letter." but in all its
parts it manifestly displays a complete adap-
tation to the purposes for which it was e.
nacted-in no respect more happily illus
trated than in those checks and restrictions
which secure the people against prodigal
and wasteful expenditure Of the public mon
ey by legislative sanction. Most promin-
ent of the class referred to is the eighth ar
ticle Of that instrument, and that [ may the
more readily be understood, l quote the ar
ticle entire
"ARTIcLE VIII, STATE DEBTs.--The
Legislature shall not in any manner create
any debt or debts, liability or liabilities,
which shall singly or in the aggregate, with
any previous debts or liabilities, exceed the
sum of three hundred thousand dollars, ex-
cept in case of war, to repel invasion or
suppress inSurrecti0n, unless the same shall
be authorized by some law for some single
object or work to be distinctly specified
therein; which law shall provide ways and
means, exclusive Of loans, for the payment
falls due, and also to discharge the princi-
pal of such debt or liability within twenty
years from the time of the contracting there
Of, and shall be irrepealable until the princi-
pal and interest thereon shall be paid and
discharged But no such law shall take ef-
feet until at a general election it shall have
been submitted to the people, and have re-
ceived majority of all the votes cast for
and against it at such election, and all mon
ey raised by authority Of such law shall be
!, applied only to the specified object therein
stated or to the payment Of the debt there
by created; and such law shall be publish
ed in at least one newspaper in each Judi
cial District (if any be published therein)
, throughout the State, for three months next
preceding the election at which it is submit
ted to the people"
Has this article been faithfully observed
these requirements pursued in the millions
of money appropriated, now aggregating
our public debt, and hereafter to be dis
charged by means ofonerous exactions from
the people? Truly not. No inconsidera-
BILE amount appropriations since the State
Indebtedness reached the sum mentioned
has been for specific purposes" not en-
braced within the exceptions named, to be
adverted to hereafter. In these, each sue
cessive Legislature has borne its part, and
generally, it is believed, without duly con
sidering the effect of such restrictions.
With the established fact that our eXis
ting Indebtedness far transcends the sum O
three hundred thousand dollars, litera
construction of this article might seem tC
embrace, among the interdicted appropria-
tions, such even as are absolutely necessary
to the support Of the State government
In this view, however, | cannot concur
All governments must inherently possess, tC
practicable extent, the power of provi
ding means for their own maintenance, SC
far even as to pledge their credit and rev
enue: else evprv movement might he al