The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-04-10
State Debt,

WHEN Mr.. BUCKALEw was in the
State Senate, he drew, and the Legisla-
ture submitted to the people, and they
adopted several amendments to the
State Constitution. Among them wat
one to provide "Sinking Fund.-" fol
the gradual payment Of the State debt
1t designated in part, the sources fr IN
which the said Fund should be derived,
and authorized the Legislature to set
apart other revenues, directed the min
imum amount to be raised annually,
authorized the increase of the Fund,
and prohibited the Legislature from ap-
plying any portion otherwise than in
payment Of the public debt, "unless in
case of war, invasion or insurrectiOn," f."
"until the amount of such debt is re-
duced below the sum Of five millions
of dollars"
This was in 1867. In 1858, Mr.. Buck
alew introduced the act provided for by
the Constitution, designating specifical
ly the sources of income to be set apart,
and providing that, the Governor
should, by proclamation, state the fact
and amount OF the debt annually eXtin-
guished. Over this Democratic mea-
sure, the Radicals have for some years
been making a great show Of paying
the public debt-a thing they cannot
avoid under the law, and the Constitu-
ton.
Last winter, however, the plumber
being less than the voracity of theplun-
derers, bill was introduced by n lead
ing radical Senator, providing for the
withdraw from the "Sinking Fund.-"
of certain specified revenues. Senator
Wallace and his colleagues succeeded
in defeating the scheme. But the spirit
of public plunder is still rife, and the
same project is again under discussion,
1t is claimed that by the fourth sec.
tion Of the act of 1858, an "increase ol
modification of the fund hereby crea.
ted may be made" and therefore the
proposed bin Is justified.
The construction is clearly incorrect
No decrease il authorized by the word,
or terms, or by implication,i in the fourth
section; and if we turn to the sixth, tn,
meaning is made palmer, for it is ther,
enacted, that "at no time and in NJ
manner shall any portion OF the funC
hereby created, be otherwise applied
except as herein provided, under pen
atty of one thousand dollars"
1t is plain therefore, that the Legisls
turc Of 1858 did not mean, by the wore
modification" in the fourth section
to allow certain incomes, set apart bS
the act, to be withdrawn from tn,
"Sinking Fund" and thus override tn,
very express provision Of the SiXtl
Section: But that becomes still NOR
manifest, when we refer the wore
provision, that the said fund thereb,
authorized to be created should not "b
used or applied otherwise than In eXtin
guishment of the public debt, until sucl
debt is reduced below the sum of fiv
millions Of dollars"
Then modification" may be mrde
If it shall not reduce the Fund to beap
piled to the principal, after the pay
ment of the accruing interest, to sun
less than two hundred and fifty thous
and dollars annually. Now the debt /
not below "five millions Of dollars,
and no "moditication" is legal or con
stitutional The Democrats when il
power, fortunately withdrew from tn
reach Of prospective cOrmorants, in
comos sufficient, eventually, to pay OF
the State debt, unless against law ant
right and Justica, the Radicals steal tn
annronriated funds