The Georgetown news., 1856-01-17

was never designed to be by the trainers OF
the constitutional government in name,
indeed, but destitute of the power to impart
vitality to any of its movements. Hence,
in my view, no Constitutional objection can
arise, in making all needful appropriations
for supporting the various departments of
the State government But here the au-
thority ceases; and each and ererY appropri-
alton for purposes not necessarily embraced
within the class Of expenditures required to
suDport the Stote Government, or such as fall
within the exception-"in case Of war, to
reDel invasion or suppress insurrection =
the Constitution utterly forbids and prohib-
its, unless previously submitted to the peo-
Dle for their sanction and ratification in the
prescribed manner.
In this same connection | would call at
tention to section %, article 4th, of the
Constitution-"No money shall be drawn
from the treasury but in consequence Of ap-
preparations made by law" How far this
requirement has been complied with it is
only necessary to refer to past action, and
it will be seen that q considerable amount
of State Indebtedness has been created by
at least most latitudinous construction of
what constitutes an appropriation made by
law, and often by an utter disregard Of
this positive mandate Of the Constitution.
Another restrictive feature Of this instru-
ment is found in the article relating to cor
porations, and which | fear has not been so
closely observed as its importance demands.
Section 81 of article 4th, provides that
"Corporations may be formed under gener-
al laws, but shall not be created by special
act, except for municipal purposes" and
the sense in which the word corporations
is there employed is defined in section 33
of the same article, as follows: "The term
corporations, as used in this article, shall be
construed to include all associations and
oint-Stock companies, having any of the
powers or privileges Of corporations not
possessed by individuals or partnerships" ;"
The experience Of all legislation has demon
strated the pernicious consequences atten-
dant on comforting authority upon the leg
islatiye department to grant special priyi-
leges to corporate companies, in which the
public have but little or no interest. To
mention no greater objection, the frequency
alone Of such applications Oftentimes ab-
tards the course of general business. The
trainers of our Constitution have, therefore,
except for municipal purposes, . wisely for
hidden the Legislature to pass other than
general laws on this subject. Entertaining
the opinion that those provisions mean,
what in words readily understood, they de-
clare, it, upon examination, it shall be found
that the general laws hitherto enacted re-
quire amendment so as to promote their
! greater usefulness, my sanction will be most
cheerfully given, but, except for munich
pal purposes" it will be Withheld from any
special act of incorporation.
The only remaining subject, especially
connected with this branch of my remarks
to which | will now allude, is the veto
power conferred on the Executive. In this
respect the Constitution Of California is
not singular, but finds precedent in that
of the Federal Union, and, with various
notifications, in those Of all the States COM
posing that Union. AT this remote period
it is unnecessary to investigate the motives
which, in a system Of government like our
own, promoted the adoption Of feature so
positively in derrogation Of the popular
will, as manifested through their chosen
representatives.; but we may nationally infer
that the prerogatiye thus bestowed was
never designed to be rashly or inconsiderate-
| ly exercised, nor its uses prOStituted to the
accomplishment of selfish euds, but rather
to preserve intact the Constitution; to guard
from intrusion and violation its sacred man
dates, and to restrain the improvident ex-
ercise of legislative power, If, unhappiIy
the necessity shall arise during my official
term, which [ confidently hope and believe
will not-ln my opinion calling for the III
terpositiOn of this prerOgatiYe-it will only
be exercised in consonance with the views
[ have here expressed.
An observance of the foregoing maxims
may contribute much to relieve the embar
rassments under which our beloved State
has so long labored, but they constitute Oh
ly IN part those reformatory measures the
people ask, yea, demand at the hands Of the
administration. The most rigid economy
III all It's departments, scrupulOus fidelity il
the discharge of public trusts, and an ear
nest zeal IN promoting the present and fu
ture Well-being Of the State, are confident
ly expected from those in power. To this
end, the abolition of all sinecures and need
less otfices-especially refusing to create
more of like kinda just and discrimina
ting reduction Of the fees and emolumentS
of Office, and withal (if such detestable her
esy has ever in our State found its yotares
that there can honestly exist such things as
constructive perquisites in salaried Offices
teaching the official incumbent of every de
gree. that he must look solely to the legiti
mate salary, or fees, as defined by law, fol
compensation; the adoption of such neediu
amendments to our code, criminal and civ,
il, as will tend to promote the impartial
and speedy administration of justice, sim,
pllfy legal proceedings, and give force m ano
efficacy to laws framed for benefcent pur-
poses, but which have proven so defective
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