The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-01-27


and TO approve or veto Il, aftos which IT will
become law without his signature, if moi
previously returned. The practice OF my
predecessors has been occasionally 70 per
! nit bills 10 become laws by this Limitation
OF time. They have taken effect in tho ell
tire absence of Executive action. But be-
lieve this has only occurred where the Ex-
ecutive has found it impossible TO form
positive cpinion upon the measure-where
! though not unohjeciionable, it was trivial
or, where it was NANTES. that veto would
not cause its defeat This Executive prac'
tice ought no, 10 be extended, and the prac.
'tice itself is opan 10 question. For ii the
provision that bills neither signed nor return.
ed within ten days. shall become laws, was
! intended as aguard against Executive abuse,
in holding them an undue period, and not
as a mode by which the Executive might
cause them o take effect, without the re-
sponsibiiity of acting upon them, it would
seem clear ihat the practice OF holding them
over ior such purpose cannot lie deien-
ded. ..
But the Legislature By its adjournment
within ten days after the passage Of 4
bill, may deprive the Executive o! due time
for consid ring it, and he &C it is provided
that in such case il shall become u law un-
less sent back within three days after the
next meeting. In modern practice large
numb OF bills are usually sent TO the Gov.
ernor within a few days OF the adjournment
of the Legislature, which it is impossible
for hm 10 consider duly before The adjourn.
ment t,kes place. In tact, many are sent 10
him in the very closing hours oifFe session.
Blu, it would seem plain that the Executive
could reasonably ask i'll such case only the
full constitutional period OF len days ior
forming his op Mon, and that all riIls he be-
lieves it his duty TO approve shall be actual.
ly signed within that period. BY the ex-
ercise of reasonable indus ny this can in all
cases be accomplished. Then, such bills
as he disapproves will be held over 10 be
returned 10 the proper branch of the Gener-
al Assembly within three days after their
next meeting, according 10 their cons itu-
tionaI provision. This will properly dis.
pose of all bills in his hands atthe adjourn
ment unless indeed it be allowed 10 hold
over bill, and permit them to become laws
without his action. .s.t
The proprety Of signing bills by the Gov
ernor between the sessions of the sLegisla-
ture, has been questioned. Itdoes rot
cord with the old practice, and is certainly
liable 10 abuse. During my term it will be
strictly confined 10 the first ten days after
an adjournment, and all bills nOt then ap-
proved, may be considered as awaiting
the next meeting of the General Assembly,
10 be returned with the Executive disappro-
val. The Executive should not be subject
ed for long periods of time TO the solcta-
lions of those interested in bills, nor should
lie he srtiect 10 he impuiators of indeci-
sion, or favorit;sm almost Spnavoidabie in
such cases. Nor is il right that he should
have in his hands the means of influence
which ,he holding open of his decision.
upon bills duri"g recess would coaier.-
Besides great wrong may he done 10 those
interested in the legislation, by continuing
them for All undue period in uncertainty as
10 the fate of bill in which their rights,
their properly or their business may be in
volyod.- These arc evils which an Exccu-
tive MAJ obvia!e, by settling his policy firm
ly in the outset of his administration. 1t
would be well, also, for The Legislature TO so
shape It's action as 10 avoid the necessity OF
sending many important bills to the Cover
nor inthe closing days or hours of a ses.
sou.- ....-g .. r.r. .. ..
-FePow Cit;zens Although it viii not be
cxpecled that | should at this time discuss
in jeiai the particular questions which Will
probably rome before the Government du-
ring my term, desire briefly to give express
sion 10 The general views of pubic policy 10
which | hold, in their application 10 pracIi-
cal issues now. Iendina. The currency of
tie S,a;e is in such d sordered condition,
! that general and wholesome public opin.
ion demands lis reform, aud he establish
menl of tffecnial barriers against future con-
visions. This is subject which. will tPst
the intelligence, the Gyfnaess, aid The patri'
oiism OF the RepEe>eutatives OF the people
i'll The Legislative department, and may I'M
pose grave esponsibiiilies.u the Exrcn-
tive. My views are decidedly hostile 10 the
emission and circulation OF small notes as a
currency; 10 The increase of bankr g capital
under present arrangements; and 10 tie is
sues of bank paper upon securities made
quate for their redemption. The, want ol
uniformity in the legal provisions under
which existing banks operate, is objection
able. 81 ..-ai e-,tsF.l-r ot 81 7g2e q, 90
In the revision and amendment Of oul
banking syale.n, the public interests in mJ
opinion demand the extension OF the specie
basis upon which, issues are made ;l.lhs
suppression ofihe smaller denomination o
notes heretofore allowed; through reports
OF the conditions and busin' SIS OF Banks will
their frequent publication; additional seen
+, riIy, (olher Than specie) TO consist Of ih'
bonds of this State or the United States, 10
the redemption of circulating notes, inclu
ding in all cases proper individual llabilit. p
of stockholders and directors, fitted for con \
veaient and actual enforcement; with q su