Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-09-29

gent use OF the means lntrusted TO us
Reporter Il understand you L
mean, Judge Packer, that the sam,
rule that hns governed you through
life in your private affairs and minis
tered 10 your success, you would apply
TO the management of the affairs o
the State were they intrusteu to YOU
Judge Paeker-Most certainly do
manage my railroad affairs precisely
the same as il they were wholly my
swn. | would manage the State
aflidrs upon the same principle. The
same rule that has given me personal
success in life has made my railroad
a success, and would undoubtedly
make the administration Of the State
a success.
DISTRIBUTE THE spoI1s WITH RIGID
ECONOMY.
Rcporter-But, Judge, you have no
party favorites to reward, or party
panpers to provide for. in the manage.
ment of your own affairs or those ol
your railroad.
Judge Packer-The public service
requires numerous officers. 1t is per.
fcctly proper, in filling those Offices,
for the appointing power to select its
own friends and supporters. But in
50 doing there should DO no greater
number appointed than is absolutely
necessary. Why the State should be
called upon to afford sinecures to po-
liIirnl drones more than mere corrn
ration snrpasses my comprehension
As said in my letter of acceptance,
the expenses Of the State Government
should be reduced to the lowest prac-
ticable point, thereby lessening the
burdens and taxation of the people.
THE PARDoNISG PowER--cLAss LEGIs.
LATIoN.
Reporter-Arc these the only ques-
tions involved 10 this canvass
Judge Packer--NO. There are two
others, which ] regard as Of paramount
importance to the safety of the citizon
aud the virtue of the State. refer to
the indiscriminate use of the pardon.
ing power ard special or class legisla-
ton. While tho one is an incentive
to crime unless cautiously and spa
ringly used, the other engenders cor.
ruption in the State, whereby the
namc of legislator becomes rcproach.
Against these evils, reaching magni-
tudo that has cast dark shadow over
the State, every good citizen should
protest.
Reporter-IIow would you remedy
these evils
Judge Packer Il 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 conceived 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 experience Of the evils of this
class OF legislation, and the extent to
which IL can be carried and the pres
cnt eminent Executive of that State
has shown what influence Governor
may exert in counteracting and check
ing this evil, which is even greater
with us than with you.
TUE RAILROAD MONOPOLY.
Reporter Do not the vast railroad
corporations OF this State virtually
create great and powerful monopo.
ly; and does not this monopoly exert
un undue influence upon the legislation
Of the StateY
Judge Packcr-Tbey might create
a monopoly dangerous TO the State but
for the spirit OF competition for the
trade of tho West aud the Pacific
coast, as well as that of onr own State,
which is so great and steadily increas-
ing tending TO a diffusion rather than
a consolidation Of power. And to this
end the State may very properly and
safely foster and encourage the exten.
sion and completion, by necessary
of these trunk roads No
other influence can be so potential in
the development of the resources Of
the State as such lines ofimprovement
Rich us VIC are in our great mineral
deposits, they would avail us little
without these means of transportation
Being prominently identified with one
Of these lines of road, it may be sup
posed that speak as railroad man,
and In the interests of the railroads
alone. But am confident that no
consideration growing out Of such a
relation could warp my judgment
My record in that respect is clear, and
was recalled TO mind by n letter this
day received from one Of my colleagues
in the thirty.third Congress-iho Hon.
Michael Z. Trout, of the Mcrcor dis.
mentions an incident of my
Congressional service that had almost
in which | appear as voting
against my own pccuniary interests
on a railroad and tariff question.
now PACKER VOTED AGAINST HIS OWN
INTERESTS.
Reporter-What was the incident
you refer toi
Judge Packer-The letter is not con.
fdcntial. lfyou are SO disposed, You
may copy the extract, as illustrating
my position on these questions.
The extract referred to is as follows (:
SHARON, PA September 4, 1859.
The Hon. Asa Packer
NV DEAH JtneH--You viii so.enhss that rear
NE close Of the last session Of the Thirty third
Congr 81, the Senate added an amendment 10 The
cifh aud diplomatic bill rtptallng the duty On
railroad iron, and authorizing the Treasury to
fund al duties paid on that article for eve years
previous Whom this amendment wns reached by
the House on the final passaee Of The bill, there
was an exciting scene between the friends Of the
measure and our delegation on agreeing to Tie
amendment Tbs vote at ilrst stood % to =. when
you we're literally bcscgcd by such mon as Apple
ton, nanki. Wentworth. and other friends Of the
measure, who urged yos to chauge lour vote on
the Ervand that you were heavy ralroad con
tractor, and that by passing this amendment D.
would add half million Of dollars 10 your profits
I we'll remember your prompt and firm reply. Il
uasi sles, gentlemen, I know u but took my
contract knowing what theduty on railroad iron
was. and II shall never be aid q me that voted
against the great interests Of Pennsylvania simply
tocauso Il would add largely to my prnais.
vote no." Not only do remember this, but, lest
Speaker lloyd might be prCrallri upon to vote
aud carry the amendment you went 10 person 10
Grn McNair. Of the Montgomery District, and
Col. strauh, of the schuylkil District sho bad