Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-01-22
Wm.F. Packers Inaugural.


before YOU to enter upon my duties Il:
Governor of the Commonwealth, | con
suit my own incliLations in conforming
TO the usage which demands popular
address; and, in the first place, | glad
ly embrace this opportunity to return
my profound and grateful thanks to
the people of Pennsylvania, for honor
ing me with the Chief Executive office
in their government. Their kindness
will never be forgotten, nor will the
confidence they have reposed in me
ever be Intentionally wronged. Duty
to them and to myself will require
that the obligation which | have just
taken 10 discharge my public duties
with fidelity shall be faithfully observ-
ed; and thus justify, as far as possible,
the popular decision. Doubtless may
commit errors in a position involving
So much of responsibility; but | will
hope that none of them Will be of n
grave character, or productive of vital
injury to the public interests. ] crave
in advance a charitable Judgment upon
my official conduct--that it shall be
construed with kindness and liberation
so long as it shall appear to be promp-
ted by sincere and honest motives
and | here engage, in this public and
formal manner, to regard the will of
the people, the public good, and the
commands Of the Constitution, as the
guiding lights by which my course is
to be directed. With these aims con-
stantly in view, shall indulge tho
pleasing hope of doing some good in
the high station to which / have been
called by the public voice, and of re-
pressing some evils which may threat
en- the public welfare, or the individual
rights Of the people.
Falou Cti-ens Of the Senate and House
of Representatives. 1t will be my ar
dent desire to cultivate with you, as
Representatives of the PEOPLE, the most
amicable relations, and to unite with
YOU in the adoption Of such measures
as the public good may require. The
different branches of the government,
although charged with distinct duties,
are to be regarded as parts Of one har-
monious whole; and it is well when
all these parts move onward without
lar, interference, or collision. Never
thcless, the distinct duties of the En-
ecutive, when duly and honestly per-
formed, may occasion differences with
the Legislature; but, in such case, it
will be expedient to cultivate spirit
of compromise and conciliation for the
,iisI,v,e,I Of .,..oi. i;ifs-e"oae, o., "t leaet,
for mitigating the feelings Of aliena-
ton to which they tend.
1t is one of the duties Of the Execu-
tive from time to time, to give to the
General Assembly information Of the
state of the Commonwealth, and re-
commend to their consideration such
measures as he shall judge expedient;
and under usage this is done by mes
saces in writing, which are entered
among the public records and remain
a part of the official history Of the
State. l do not understand this as q
power of debating to the General As
scmbly the measures they shall adopt,
nor even as power of initiating laws,
but as an informing and suggesting
power, in no respect trenching upon
the just and proper jurisdiction Of the
legislative department. of free State
In short, it was never intended to give
n legal control over the proceedings Of
the Representatives of the people in
the enactment of laws. 1t is, there
fore, right of communication with
them, which, while prudcntly and rea-
sonably exercised, can give no occasion
for jealousy, objection, or complaint.
The Executive, when exercising this
right, is but performing a plain duty,
and can apprehcnd no difficulty in
speaking with respectful freedom
even upon questions where an entire
agreement of sentiment cannot be eX-
pectcd. But, there is another and
more delicate power which pertains to
the relations between the Legislative
and Executive departments. BY the
twenty-third and twenty-tourth sec
tions of the first article of the Consti-
tuition, all bills passed by the General
Assembly, and most of the orders, re-
solutions and votes in which they may
concur, are submitted to the EXecu
live, and if disapproved by him can
only be made valid by vote of two
Thirds of each House. This power Of
disapproval is among the most impor-
tant duties of the Executive, and is
constantly becoming more so, from
the operation of obvious and natural
causes. In my opinion it is the clear
and binding duty of the Executive to
return for reconsideration every bill,
order, resolution or vote, presented to
him which he cannot approve-in 9th
cr words, that the assent of his judg
ment and conscience shall be actually
given to any measure before he per-
mits il to take effect; unless, indeed,
it be passed against his objection by
two-thirds vote. The words of the
Constitution are "it he approve he shall
sign It, but, if he shall not approve, he
shall return Il with his objections to the
House in which it shall have originat-
ed" Words could not convey a pow
cr, ana prescribe duty in a more
clear and definite form. 1t is mani
iestly the mention of the Constitution
that the deliberate and conscientious
approval of the Governor shall be Civ