Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-28
Inauguration of Gov. Packer.

1b
o'clock the Governor elect, retiring Governor
Pollock, the Heads of Departments, and the
Committee of Arrangements, arrived in front
Of the Capitol where large stand with sufi-
cient seats for the members Of both Houses,
the Heads of Departments aud the Committees,
had been erected
They assembly was called to order by the
Speaker of the Senate, Mr. WELSH
A most solemn and impressive prayer was
then offered to the Throne of Grace by the
Rev Dr. De WIrr, of this city.
Whereupon. the Speaker. Of the Senate ad.
mnstered the following oath of Office to WM.
T. PACKER the Governor elect:
You do swear that YOU will support the
Constitution of the United States
"You do also swear that you will support
the Constitution Of the State of Pennsylva-
MIA, and that you will discharge your duties
as Governor of this Commonwealth with f.
deity" e g.. ...
After the oath had been duly admins
cred, the Governor delivered the following ad-
dress
Fellow CITIZENS In appearing before
you to enter upon my duties as Governor OF
the Commonwealth, | consult my own inclina-
tions in conforming to the usage which demands
popular address and, in the first place, /
gladly embrace this opportunity to return my
profound and grateful thanks to the people
of Pennsylv vania, for honoring me with the
Chief Executive Office in their Government
Their kindness will never he forgotten, nor
will the confidence they have reposed in ME
ever be Intentionally betrayed Duty to them
and to myself will require that the obligation
which have just take to discharge my pub
lie duties with fidelity shall be faithfully oh.
served, and thus justify as far as possible, the
popular decision. Doubtless may commit er-
ors in position involving so much af RESPONSE
bility but | hope that none of them will be
of grave character or productive of vital in
jury to the public interests. | crave i'll adj
vance charitable Judgment upon my official
conduct-that it shall be construed with kind
ness and liberation so long as it shall appear
to be prompted 10y sincere and honest motives
and here engage, in this public and for
NAL 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
constantly in view, shall indulge the pleas
ing hope of doing some good in the high sta
ton to which | have been called 10y the pub
lie voice, and of repressing some evils which
may threaten the public welfare, or the indi-
vidual rights of the people.
Fslou Cuieens of The Senate and House Of
Representatives. 1t will be my ardent desire
to cultivate with you, as Representatives of
the people, the most amcable relations, and
to unite with you in the adoption of all such
measures as the public good may require. The
different branches of the Government, although
charged with distinct duties, are to be regard
ed as parts of one harmonious whole and it is
well when all these parts move onward with
ont jar, interference, or collision. Neverthe-
less, the distinct duties of the Executive, when
duly aud honestly performed, may occasion
differences with the Legislature but, in such
case, it will be expedient to cultivate spirit
of compI omse and conciliaton for the disposal
of such indif1erences, or at least, for mtigat
ing the feelings of alienation to which they
| tend
| 1t is one the duties of the Executive from
! time to time to give to the General Assembly
information of the state of the Commonwealth
and recommend to their consideration such
measures as he shall Judge eXpedient and un-
der usage this is done by measures in writing
which are entered among the public records
and remain part of the official history of the
State do not understand this as power Of
debating 10 the Assembly measures they shall
adopt, nor even as power Of initiating laws
but as an informing aud suggesting power, in
no respect trenching upon the just and proper
jurisdiction of the Legislative department of a
| free State In short, it was never intended to
| give legal control over the proceedings of the
Representatives of the people in the enact
ment of laws. 1t is, therefore right of com
munication with them, which, while prudcntly
and reasonably exercised, can give no just oc
casion for jealousy, objection or complaint
The Executive when exercising this right, is
but performing plain duty, and can appre
hend no difficulty in speaking with respect
ful freedom even upon questions where an en-
tire agreement of sentiment cannot be expect
ed. 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-fourth sections
of the first article of the Constitution all bills
passed by the General Assembly, and most of
the orders, resolutions and votes in which they
may concur, are submitted to the Executive,
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
important duties of the Executive, and is con-
stantly becoming more So from the operation
of obvious and natural causes. In my opinion
it is the clear ond binding duty Of the execu-
tive TO return for reconsideration, every bill,
order resolution or vote, presented to him
which he cannot approve-in other words,
that the assent of his judgment and conscience
shall be actually given to any measure before
he permits it to take effect unless, indeed, it
be passed against his objection by a two thirds
vote. The words of the Constitution are "if
he approve he shall sign 1t, but if he shall not
approve, he shall retnrn II with his objections
to the House in which it shall have orignat-
edn Words could not convey a nower and