Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-04-14

Governor Packers Vetoes.

We agree with the Reading Gazette,
that Governor Packer deserves the thanks
of the people, for his efforts to arrest some
of the many bad acts of the present Legis-
laturo, by the use of the veto power. 1t
has been our unpleasant duty, in the past,
to condemn Governor Packers course, in
some particulars but we are nevertheless
free to do him justice, and we therefore
say, without hesitation, that the positions
taken in his last annual Message, and the
course of his administration since its publ
cation, are worthy of the cordial approba-
ton Of every Democrat and well-wisher of
the people. Although the benefits of his
vetoes have been rendered imperative in
numerous instances, by the passage of OBJ
jectionable bills over his head by two
thirds vote of the Legislature, yet he is
entitled to thanks for the fearless prompti-
tude with which he has used his constitu-
tional power for arrcsting hasty, inconsid-
crate and evil legislation. lie has dis
charged las duty, at all events, and the
whole responsibility of forcing batch of
worthless corporations upon the commu-
nifty, to consume their substance for private
gain, will rest upon those who, in defiance
Of his authority, have deliberately assumed
that responsibility.
Self.interest and total disregard Of the
public wants and wishes, appear to have
governed all the acts of the present Legis
lature. The opposition majority, as if
conscious that their power is destined to be
taken from them at the next election and
that many of them will never be returned
to their seats, have determined to make
the most OF the opportunity they now pos
sess, and therefore they have monopolized
nearly the whole session in the passage of
Bank bills, and charters for innumcrable,
unnecessary and irresponsible corporations (;
and after hurrying through the Appropria-
ton bill and other important public meas
ures, in less time than has ever been known
to be done before, they adjourn in the most
indecent haste, for no other reason, that
can be OWNED, than to earn their 500 in
as short time as possible.
1t was fit business for M,s Legislature
to repeal the law allowing the truth to be
given in evidence on the trial of indictments
for libel, which was passed by the Legis-
latur re of 1856, achose acts u,H bear scru-
tiny. 1t is true the Constitution allows the
truth to be told of puJi,c mn; but as our
honorable legislators could not touch that, D.,
they have done what they considered the
ne2t best thing for their own protection, by
wiplng out the liberal Act which allowed
the Press-whose perfect freedom is the
peoples best safeguard against abuses, op-
pressions and wrongs of all kinds--to pub
lish The truth about all men, from goot
mo'aves and for juafrJie ends..' Be
sides, their unexpected return to private
life, which will be speedy and sure, made
the repeal SO much the more desirable =
Well, in reviewing the ancient and absurd
common-law maxim "that the greater truth
is the greater lbcl"-which England
whence we derived it, has long ago abol-
ished-the Legislature of ls6O may have
provided against future criticism and ex-
posure of the corrupt acts of its members.
But all the truth that the most presumpt-
Gus editor can publish about them, will fall
so far short of the reality, that we do not
believe any jury in the land will convict
him, even though he may no longer give
the truth in evidence.