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

The practice of my predecessor has been oc-
casionally to permit bills to become laws by
this Limitation of time. They have taken e.
4 ct in the entire absence of Executive action.
But believe this has only occurred where the
Executive has found it impossible to form a
positive opinion upon the measure where.
though not Objectionable it was trvial-or,
where it was manifest that a veto would not
cause its defeat This Executive practice
ought not to be extended, and the practice it..
self is open to question For if the provision
that bills neither signed nor returned within
ten days, shall become laws, was intended as
guard against Executive abuse, in holding
them an undue period, and not as a mode by
which the Executive might cause them to take
effect, without the responsibility Of acting up
on them, it would seem clear that the prac-
tice of holding them over for such purpose can
not be defended. = ~ "''''
But the Legislature by its adjournment
within ten days after the passage Of a bill,
may deprive the Executive of due time for
considering it, aud hence it is provided that
In such case it shall become law unless sent
back within three days after the next meeting
In modern practice large number OF bills are
usually sent within few days of the adjourn
mcnt of the Legislature, which it is impossible
for him to consider duly before the adjourn
ment takes place. In fact many are sent to
him in the very closing hours of the session =.
But it would seem plain that the Executive
could reasonably ask in such case only the full
constitutional period of ten days for forming
his opinion and that oil bills he believes it his
duty to approve shall be actually signed with
in that period BY the exercise of reasonable
industry this can in in all cases be accomplish
ed Then, such bills as he disapproyes will be
held over to be returned to the proper branch
of the General Assembly within three days af
ter their next meeting, according to the con-
stitutional provision. This will properly dis
pose of all bills in his hand at the adjournment,
unless indeed it be allowable to hold over bills
and permit them to become laws without the
action.
The proprety of signing bills by the Cover
nor 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 adjournment, 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 SUBJ
jected for long periods of time to the socita-
tions of those interested in bills nor should he
be subject to the imputatons of iudecision, or
favoritism almost unavoidable in such casas
Nor is it right that he should have in his hands
the means of influence which the holding open
of his decision upon bills during recess would
confer Besides 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
property, or their business may he involved
These are evils which an Executive may obvi-
ate, by settling his policy firmly in the outset
of his administration 1t would be we'll, 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.
FslIow Cui1ens Although it will not be
expected that should at this time discuss, in
detail the particular questions which will
probably come before the government during
my term, desire briefly to give expression to
the general views of pnblic policy to which |
| hold, in their application to practical issues
now pending. The currency of the State is in
such disordered condition, that general and
| wholes ome public opinion demands its reform,
and the establishment of effectual barriers
against future commissions This is a subject
which will test the intelligence, the iirmness,
and the patriotism of the representatives, of
the people in the legislative department, and
may impose grave responsibilities upon the
Executive. My views are decidedly hostile to
the emission and circulation of small notes as
a currency tc the increase of banking capi
tai under present arrangements ; and to the
issue of bank paper upon securities inadequate
for their redemption. The want of uniformity
in the legal provisions under which existing
banks operate, is Objectionable. In the revul-
sion and amendment of our banking system,
the public interests, in my opinion, demand
the extension Of the specie basis upon which
issues are made the suppression of the sma!-
Ter denomination Of notes heretofore allowed i;
thorough reports of the condition and business
of banks with their frequent publication ad-
ditional security, (other than specie to con-
sist of the bonds of this State or of the Uni
ted States, for the redemption of circulating
notes, including In all cases proper individual
liability of stockholders and directors, fitted
for convenient and actual enforcement with
supervisory and controlling power in some
proper officer or department of the Govern
ment, to restrain or suspend the action of
banks in case Of their violation or evasion of
the law.
When a specie currency shall be secured to
the people by prohibiting the circulation of
bills of a small denomination, it will be highly
desirable that the fiscal affairs of the State
governments shall be wholly separated from
those of the banks in other words, that the
money transactions of the government, both
in its collections and disbursements, shall be in
the legal coin of the country. Whenever
practicable, convenient and efficient scheme
for the operations of the Treasury upon such
basis can be presented to me, by the repre-