The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-01-24

treasury, all unnecessary expenditures o
the public money must be firmly resisted
SO that the gradual diminution of the in
debtedness shall not be interrupted.
To promote the prosperity of the peo
pie and the power of the Commonwealth
by increasing her financial resources, BY
liberal recognition Of the vast interests
of our commerce, by outstanding our
means and diminishing the burdens OF
taxation and of debt, will be the highest
objects of my am bition, and all the ener.
gy of my administration will be directed
to the accomplishment of these results.
The pardonipg power is one of the
most important and delicate powers con-
ferred upon the Chief Magistrate by the
Constitution, and it should always be ex.
ereised with great caution. and never ex-
cept on the most conclusive evidence that
it is due to the condemned, and that the
public secuty will not be p'ejudced By
the act. When such applications are pre-.
sented to the Executive it is due to socie.
ty, to the administration ofjustice. and
to all interested, that public notice should
be given. By the adoption OF such reg
uatioD imposition will be prevented and
just efforts will be strengthened.
/ The association of capital and labor,
under acts OF incorporation. where the
purposes to be accomplished are beyond
the reach of individual enterprise, has
long been the policy of the State. and has
done much to advance the prosperity of
the people. Where the means OF the citi
zens are moderate, as they generally are in
new and growing country, and where the
concentration OF the capital of many is
necessary to development and progress,
such associations, when judiciously re-
stricted, confer large benefits Oh the State.
The va-t resources of Pennsylvania, and
the variety of her mechanical and other
industrial pursuits, invite capital and
enterprise from abroad, which, on every
sound principle of political economy,
.bould be encouraged. Much of the
times of the Legislature is consumed by
applications for special chartered privi
leges which might be saved by the enact
meDt of general laws and by such amend
ment to our general mining and manu-
featuring Law as will remove needless and
burthensome traiDts, and at the same
time afford ample protection to capital
and labor, and to the com munity at large.
Our statute books are full of acts of in
corporation coDferring special privileges,
various as they are numerous. dissiml!ar
in their grants OF power, and unequal In
their liabilities and restrictions. Well
considered aud judicous general laws
to ueet all classes of corporations, would
remedy the evil, economist time and
money, relieve the Legislature from the
constant pressure for undue privileges,
and be just and equal to all in their ad
ninistration.
The veto power conferred upon the Ex.
ecutiVe was given with much hesitation,
and not without serious apprehensions as
to its abuse, by the trainers OF our organ
ic law. 1t is, in my judgment, to be used
with the greatest caution, and only y when
egisl slation is manifestly inconsiderate. or
of u ore than doubtful constitutionally-
The legislators, chosen as they are direct
y by the people, in such a manner that
fair expression of their views of the
true policy of the government can always
be had, give to all we'll considered meas
ures of legislation the solemn sanction Of
the highest power OF the State, and it
should not be arbitrarily interfered with.
While | shall shrink from no duty in
volyed by the sacred trust reposed in ne
by the people of the Com onweath. l
would have all other departments of the
government appreciate the full measure
of responsibility that dissolves upon them.
The position of mutual enlargement
in which the different sections Of our
country have been placed by the precipi
tate action and violent denunciation of
heated partizans, the apprehension of
still IL ore serious complication OF our po-
litical affairs, aud the fearful uncertainty
of the future, have had the effect Of weak.
enins Commercial credit and partially iu-
terrupting trade; and, as natural eouse-
quence, deraueiDg our exchanges and
currency. Yet the elements of general
prosperity are everywhere dltfused a.
moug-t US, and nothing is wanting but
retorn of confluence to enable Us to reap
the rich rewards of our diversiged indus
try and enterprise. Should the restitu-
tioD of confidence in business and COM
mercial circles be long delayed, the Leg
islature, iD its wisdom, will, | doubt not,
meet the necessities of the crisis in gen
erou- and patriotic spirit.
Thus far our system of Government
has fully answered the expectations OF its
founders, and has demonstrated the ca
pacity of the people for sef-govornment
The country has advanced in wealth.
knowledge and power, and secured to
all cl asses of its citizens the blessings OF
peace, prosperity and happiness. The
workings of our simple and natural politl-
cal organizations have given direction and
energy to individual and associated enter
prise, maintained public order, and pro-
NOTED the welfare of all parts of our vast
and expanding country. No one who
knows the history of Pennsylvania and