Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-01-23


lature, which it is impossible for him to con
slider duly before the adjournment takes place
ln fact many are sent to him in the very
closing hours Of the session. But it would
seem plain that the Executive could reasona.
bly, ask in such case only the full constitutional
period Of ten days for forming his opinion
and that all bills ho believes it his duty to
approve shall be actually signed within that
period. BY the exercise Of reasonable in
dustry this can in all cases be accomplished.
Their, such bills as he disapproves will be
held over to be returned to the proper branch
of the General Assembly within three days
alter their next meeting, according to the
constitutional provision. This will properly
dispose Of all bills in his hands at the adjourn
ment. unless indeed it be allowed to hold over
bills and permit them TO become laws with
out his action.
The propriety Of signing bills by the Gov
eruor between the sessions Of the Legislature
has been questioned. 1t does not accord
with the old practice, and is certainly liable
to abuse. During my term it will be strictly
confined to the first ten days after an adjourn
ment, and all bills not then approved, may be
considered as awaiting the next meeting Of
the General Assembly, TO be returned with
the Executive disapproval. The Executive
should not be subjected for long periods Of
time to the solicitations Of those interested
in bills, nor should be be subject TO the i'm
putatiuns of indecislon, or favortism almost
unavoidable in such cases. Nor is it right
that lie should have iu bis hands the means Of
influence which the holding open of his de-
cision upoh bills during a recess would confer.
Besides a great wrong may be done to those
interested IN legislation, by continuing them
for an undue period in uncertainty as to the
fate Of bills in which their rights, their pro-
perty, or their business may be involved.
These ore evils which an Executive may OBJ
viate, by settling his policy firmly in the out
set OF his administration. 1T would be well.
Also for the Legislature TO so shape its
action as to avoid the necessity of sending
many important bills to the Governor in the
closing days or hours Of a session.
(cit0w, CHi=cnS :-Althongh it will not be
expected that should at this time discuss in
detail the particular questions which will
probably come before the government du-
ring my term, desire briefly to give EXPIRES
sion TO the general views Of public policy to
which hold, in their application to practi
cal issues now pending. The currency orthe
State is in such disUrdered condition, that
q general and wholesome public opinion de-
mands its reform, and the establishment Of
y
This is a subject which will test the iutelIi-
goncp, the tirmnes5, and the patriotism Of the
Representatives Of the people in the Legisla-
tive department. and may impose grave re-
sponsibilit,es upon the Executive. My views
are decidedly hostile TO the emission and
circulation Of small notes as currency; TO
the increase Of banking capital under present
and TO the issues of bank
paper upon securities inadequate for their re-
demption. The want of uniformity in the
legal provisions under which existing banks
operate, is Objectionable.
In the revision and amendment Of cur bank
ing system, the public interests in my opn
ion demand the extension of the specie basis
upon which issues are made; the suppression
Of the smaller denomination of notes hereto
fore allowed through reports orthe condition
and business of banks with their frequent
publication; additional security, (other than
specio) to consist Of the bonds Of this State or
Of the United States, Cor the redemption Of
circulating notes, including in all cases proper
lnliyIauaI liability Of Stockholders and drec-
tors, lifted for convenient and actual enforce
ment: with supervisory and controlling
power in some proper officer or department
OF the Government 10 restrain or suspend the
action oI banks in case Of their evasion Of the
law.
When 4 specie currency shall be secured
70 the people by prohibiting the circulation
OF bills Of II smaller denomination, it will be
highly desirable that the fiscal affairs of the
State government shall be wholly separated
from those Of the banks in other words, that
the money transactions Of the government
both iH its collections and disbursements shall
be in the legal coin Of the country. When
ever n praCtiCablr, convenient and efficient
scheme for the operations of the Treasury up
on such u basis can be presented 20 me by the
Representatives. Of the people, it will meet
with a cheerful approval. There are difficult
ties in the case, however, far greater than
those surmouuted by the general government
in the establishment Of its independent Irea-
Sury system; but the object oiug one Of the
first magnitude, and calculated TO exercise Il
most salutaIy influence upon the action of
the government, and upon the business ofthe
banks aud the people, it is well worthy ear
nest consideration.
In reforming the currency, single State
can accomplish but q moderate amount CT
good however sincere, intelligent and earnest
it may be, without the cooperation OF other
States, and especially Of those which adioin
it, Bank notes are not stopped in their flow
by imaginary State lines, nor does it seem
ppSSiOlc iCE u Dtale altogether W prevent luI-
eign notes from circulating within her borders
even by the most stringent enactmcnts. We
must, therefore, invoke our sister States to
join with US in the repression Of small paper,
and in such other particulars OF reform as re-
qU!re for complete success their cooperation.
Meantime to the extent Of our power let US
exert ourselves to furnish our citizens with a
safe and stable curencyi TO prevent future
financial convulskJns similar TO that under
which the community has for some time been
struggling; and to relieve the government
in its fiscal action from the danger Of depre-
ciated or worthless paper, and the embarrass-
ments arising from dependence upon corpo-
rations Of ber own creation.
The people of Pennsylvania by the recent
I adoption Of an amendment TO the Constitu-
| tiUn on the subject Of Public Indebtedness
have imposed an imperative obligation upon
/ their servants TO practise economy, TO limit
| expenditures, and to give their best efforts tC
/ the gradual but eventual eXtinguishment o
/ the existing public debt. After eight year!
/ Of experience under the sinking fund act oi
/ 1919, we find our public indebtedness bu
slightly diminished. The constitution
amendment just adopted demands the estab
/ lishment Of an effective sinking fund for it
payment, aud / shall consider il one Of th'
/ leading duties Of my administration to Sc,
/ that that amendment is carried ont both IL
/ its letter and its spirit. | cannot regard tht
/ reduction Of the three mill tax Oh property
| made al the last regular session Of the ICgiS