The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-09-30


passes my comprehension. AS said in my
letter of acceptance, the expenses of the
STATE Government should be reduced to the
lowest practicable point, thereby lesseuing
the burdens and taxation of the people.
THE PARDoNING PowER-cLAss LEGISLATION.
Reporter-Are these the only questions
involved in this canvass /?
Judge Packer-No. There are two others
which regard as of paramount Importance
to the safety of the citizen and the virtue of
the State. | refer TO the indiscriminate use
OF the pardoning power and special or class
legislation. While the one is an incentive
to crime unless cautiously and sparingly
used, the other engenders corruption in the
State. Whereby the name of legislator be-
comes reproach. Against these evils,
reaching magnitude that has cast dark
shadow over the State, every good citizen
should protest.
Reporter-How would you remedy these
evils?
Judge Packer-I would exercise clemency
only where deserved, and upon the clearest
showing, and would not hesitate to exercise
the executive prerogative of the veto against
all special legislation that is convinced or
enacted in a corrupt spirit, or that can be
covered by general laws. In your own
State of New York you have had some ex-
d.
ton. and the extent to which it can be car
ried; and the present eminent Executive of
that State has shown what influence Gov
ernor may exert in counteracting and check
ing this evil, which is even greater with us
than with you.
THE RAILROAD MONOPOLY.
Reporter-Do not the vast railroad corpo-
rations of this State virtually create great
and powerful monopoly, and does not this
monopoly exert an undue influence upon the
legislation of the State2
Judge Packer-They might create a mo-
nopoly dangerous to the State, but for the
spirit of competition for the trade of the
West, and the Pacific coast, as we'll as that
Of our own State, which is so great and
steadily increasing. tending to diffusion
rather than consoIid2 ton Of power. Aud
to this end the State may very properly and
safely foster and encourage the extension and
completion, by necessary branches Of these
trunk roads. No other influence can be so
potential in the development of the reSour-
ces of the State as such lines of improve
ment. Rich as we are in our great mineral
deposits, they would avail us little without
these means of transportation. Being pro-
minently identified with one of these lines
of road, it may be supposed that l speak as
railroad man, and in the interests of the
railroads alone. But am confident that no
consideration growing out of such relation
conld warp my judgment. Ally record in
that respect is clear. and was recalled to
mind by a letter this day received from one
of my colleagues in the Thirty-third Con-
gress-the Hon. Michael c.. Trout, of the
Mercer distTict-who mentions an incident
of nay Congressional service, that | had al
most forgotten in which | appear as voting
against my own pecuniary interests on rail
road and tariff question.
HOW PACKER VOTED AGAINST HIS OWN IN
TEREsTs.
Reporter-What was the incident you
fer to 2
Judge Packer-The letter is not confiden-
tial. If you are so disposed. you may copy
the extract, as illustrating my position on
these questions.
The extract referred to. is as follows:
SHARON, Pa, Sept. 4th, 1869.
The Hon. asa Packer:
MY DEAR JUDGE You will remember
that near the close of the last session of the
Thirty-third Congress, the Senate added an
amendment to the civil and diplomatic bill,
repeating the duty on railroad iron. and au-
tborizing the Treasury to refund all duties
paid on that article for five years previous.
When this amendment was reached by the
was an exciting scene between the friends of
the measure, and our delegation on agreeing
to the amendment. The vote at first stood
81 to 50. when you were literally besieged
by such men Appleton, Banks, Went-
worth and other friends of the measure, who
urged you to change your vote on the ground
that you were heavy railroad contractor,
and that by passing this amendment it
would add half million of dollars to your
profits. [ we'll remember your prompt and
firm reply. 1t was: s'Yes, gentlemen, l
know it, but / took my contract, knowing
what the duty on railroad iron was. and it
shall never be said of me, that I voted
against the great interests of Pennsylvania,
simply because it would add largely to my
prof is. ] vote no." Not only do / remem-
Der this. but, lest Speaker Boyd might be
prevailed upon to vote. and carry the amend
ment, yon went in person to General Nc
Nair, of the Montgomery district, and Col.
Straub of the Schuylkill district. who had
both voted for the amendment, and prevail
ed upon them to change their votes, thus
putting the matter beyond danger
(Signed) "M. @. TROUT"
Reporter-Fron this extract, Judge Pack
er, infer that you are protectionist2
Judge Packer-You are at liberty to infer
what you please, but the measure pending
in Congress. referred to in that letter. did
not involve the question of protection as un-
derstood in the country. 1t was mere
combination of New England with the South
and West against Pennsylvania. Against
such combination / set my face and infu-
ence in behalf of the interests of my own
State.
JUDGE PACKERS ACCOUNT OF THE COAL
STRIKE.
Reporter-You are an extensive coal MI
ner l believe. Judge Packer, are you not +?
Judge Packer-I was formerly. but when
[ became coal-caxrier ceased to be a coal
miner. Faa e = -a
-Reporter-Then as carrier you are still
interested in the production of coal-e
L dndge Packer-Cer tainly am ;-but not
merely as a carrier and an extensive. consul
mer,- but as an individual desiring to see
J. Il