The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-01-28

great -iDtCfert> are lDNOiNt u, uoi. CODeIitU'
tiopal principles in question, nor private
right, ass sailed, considerations OF expcdi.
enoy may be taken into account by the
Executive; but certainly no suhstautia!
objection, WHITTIER Of policy or Of priuci-
ciple. can, be waived BY him in view OF
his oath to support the constitution. Ten
days Sundays excluded are allowed the
Executive to consider Till, and to ap-
prove or veto it, after which it will be-
come w'wiihout his si-nature, if not
previously returned. TIE practice of NY
predecessor has been ocC asionally TO per-
nit bills to become laws y this lin,ita-
ton of tiuIe. They have taken etlvet IN
the entire absence of Executive actou.--
But | believe this has only occurred
whore the Executive has found it impoS-
sible to form positive opinion upon the
here though not unobjection-
able, it was trivial-or, where it was
manifest that veto would not cause its
defeat. This Ex' cutive practice ought
not to be extended, and the practice it's
self is open to question. For if the pro-
vision that bills neither 81 igned nor return
ed within ten days, shall become law,
was intended as guard against Execu-
tive abuse, in holding them an undue Pc
rod, aud not as a mode by which the
Executive might cause them to take ef-
feet, without the responsibility Of acting
upon them, it would seem clear that the
practice Of holding them over for such
purpose cannot be defended.
But the Legislature by its adjournment
within ten days alter the passage Of a
bill, may deprive the Executive of due
time for considering G 1t, and hence it is
provided that in such case it shall become
after the next meeting. In modern prac-
tice large Dumter OF bulls are u-ually
sent to the Governor within few days
OF the adjournment OF the Legislature,
which it is Impossible tor him to consider
duly before the adjournment takes place.
lD tact many are sent to bin ID the very
closing hours Of the session. But it would
seem plain that the Executive could rea-
sonably ask in sueb case onl y the full
constitutional period OF ten days for for
ming hi7 opinion, and that all bills he
believes it bis duty to approve shall be
actually signed within that period. By
the exercise of reasonable Industry this
can-In al cases be accomplished. Then,
such bills as BIZ disapproyes will be held
over to be returned to the proper branch
as the General Asseu by within three
days after the next meeting, according to
the constitutional provision. This will
properly dispose of all the bills in his
hands at the ad adJourument, unless indeed
1t be allowable to hold over bills and per-
The propriety of signing bills ty the
Go. eruor, between the sessions OF the Lee
glslature, has been questioned. 1t does
not accord with the old practice, and is
certainly liable to abuse. During my
term it viii be strictly confined to the first
ten days after an adjournment. and all
bills not then approved, may be con>id-
cred as awaiting the next meeting OF the
General Assembly, to be returned with
nit them to become laws without bis action.
the Executive disapprval. The Ex-
ecutve should not be subjected for
lon. periods OF time to the solicitations
of those Interested in bills, nor should he
be subject to the iurutatlono of indecis-
ion, or fagoritism almost unavoidable in
such cases. Nor is it ri ght that be should
have in his hands the means of influence
" hich the holding open Of his decision
upon bills during recess would confer.
Beside a great wrong may be done to
those Interested IN legislation. by contin-
uing them tor an undue period III uneer-
tainty as to the fate of bills IN which their
ri ghts, their property, or their business
may be involved These are evils which
all Executive may obviatc, by settling bis
policy frmly in !hc outset OF bis admins
tration. 1t would be well, also, for the
to 20 shape its action as to a
void the necessity OF seudlng many im
portant bills to the Governor in the clo-
slug day or hours OF a session.
EellOsC- Culrc2lS. :. Although it will not
be expected that | should discuss in de-
tail the particular questions which will
probably cone before the Government
during my term, | desire briefly to give
expression to the general views OF public
policy to which | hold, in their aPpllca-
ton to practical issues now pecdne, The
currency OF the State Is 10 such dlsor-
dercd condition, that general and whole
some public opinion demands its reform,
and the e,ta abliShment of eiieetuaI barrl-
ers against future commissions. This is
subject which which will test the intelli
gence, the frmness, and the patriotism of
the Repress ntatives of the people III the
Legislative department, and may impose
grave RESP sIonslbilitics upon the Executive.
My views are decidedly hostile to the e.
mission and circulation OF snali notes as
a currency; to the increase of Banking
capital under present arrangements; and
to the issues Of bank paper upon securI.
ties inadequate for their redemption. The
want of uniformity ia the legal provisions
under which the existing banks operate
is objectionable. In the revision and a
mendment of our banking system, the