Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-01-24

by the act When such applications are pre-
seuted to the Executive it is due to society, to
the administration of justice, and to all interest
ed. that public notice should be given By the
adoption of such regulation imposition will
! be prevented and just efforts Will be strength
ened
The association of capital and labor, under
acts of incorporation, where the purposes to
be accomplished are beyond the reach of irdiVi-
dual 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 citizens 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 restricted, con-
| fer large benefits on the State. The vast re-
sources Of Pennsylvania, and the variety of
| her mechanical and other industrial pursuits,
invite capital aud enterprise from abroad,
which, on every sound principle of political
economy, should be encouraged. Much of the
time Of the Legislature is consumed by ap-
plicat!ons for special chartered privileges which
might be saved by the enactment OF general
laws and by such amendment to our general
mining and manufacturing law as will remove
| needless time afford ample protection to capt.
tai and labor and to the community at large.
| Our statute books are full of acts of incorpor-
ations conferring special privileges, various as
they are numerous, disSimilar in their grants
OF power, and unequal in their liabilities aud
restrictions. Well considered and judicious
general laws TO meet all classes of corpora
;onS would remedy the evil economist time
and money, relieve the Legislature from the
! constant pressare for undue privileges, and be
just aud equal to all in their administration.
/ The veto power conferred upon the Execu-
/ tive was given with much hesitation, and not
without serious apprehensons as to its abuse,
! by the trainers of our organic law. 1t is, in
my Judgment, to be used with the greatest eau
/ tion, and only when legislation is manifeStly in
consderatc. or Of moye than doubtful conStitu-
tionality The legislators, chosen as they are
directly 10y the people, in such manner that
fair expression Of their views Of the true
policy Of the government can always be had.
give to all well considered measures of legisla-
/ tion the solemn sanction of the highest power
of the State, and it should not he arbitrarily
interfered with. While shall shrink from no
duty involved by the sacred trust reposed in
me by the people of the Commonwealth,
Nould have all other departments of the gov
( tIUutul ujDltCidLC TIC Iull IuCGouiI Va lGo
sibility that devoves upon them.
The position of mutual estrangement in
which the different sections of our country
have been placed by the precipitate action
and violent denunciation of heated patizans,
/ the apprehension Of still more serious compli-
cations OF our political affairs, aud the fearful
uncertainty of the tutnre, have had the effect
of weakening commercial credit and partially
interrupting trade; and, as natural consequ-
ence, derangiug our exchanges and the cur
rencY. Yet the clements of general prosperity
are everywhere difCsed amongst US, and moth
ing is wanting but return of confidence to
enable Us to reap the rich rewards of our div
egshed industry and enterpriZe. Should the
restitution Of confidence in business and CON-
mercial circles be long delayed, the Legisla-
turc, in its wisdom, will, l doubt not, meet
the necessities OF the crisis in generous and
patriotic spiyit.
/ Thus far our system of Government has full
/ " answered the expectations of its founders,
and has demonstrated the capacity Of the peo-
pie for sef.governmeut The country has ad-
vanced in wealth, knowledge and power and
secured to all classes Of its citizens the blessings
Of peace prosperity and happiness The work
/ ingS of our simple and natural political organ
cations have given direction and energy to
/ individual and associated enterprise, maintain
ed public order, and promoted the welfare of
all parts Of our vast expanding country. No
one who knows the history of Pennsylvania
and understands The opinions and feelings of
/ her people can Justly charge US with hostility
/ to our brethren Of other States. We regard
| them as friends and fellow countrymen, in
whose welfare we feel a kindred interest, and
we recognize, in their broadest extent, all our
constitutional obligations to them. These we
are ready aud willing to observe generously
and fraternally in their letter and spirit, with
answering fidelity.
The election of President of the United
States according to the forms of the Consti-
tuition, has recently been made o pretext for
disturbing the peace of the country by deliber
ate attempt 10 wreSt from the Federal Govern
ment the powers which the people conferred
on it when they adopted the Constitution
/ BY this movement the question whether the
government of the United States embodies the
| prerogativeS, rights and powers and sovereig-
nty, or merely represents, for specific purposes
a multitude Of independent communities, con-
/ federated in a league which any one of them
may dissolve at will, is now placed directly be-
| fore the people. Unhappily this question
is not presented in the simple form of political
discussion, but complicated with the passions
aud iealousies of impending or actual conflict.
There is nothing in the life of Mr.. Lincoln,
nor in any of his acts or declarations before
or since his election, to Justify the apprehen-
sion that his Administration will be unfriend-
Iy to the local institutions of any of the States
No sentiments but those of kindness and con-
ciliaton have been expressed or entertained
by the constitutional majority which elected
him; and nothing has occurred to Justify the