The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-06-18


to the House in which it had originated
There its further consideration was pos
poned, and no final judgment upon it wa
pronounced.
1t stands now among the open question
which may be revived at future session
1t may again be introduced and passed mex
winter or at any subsequent time. withou
embarrassment from any prior decision O.
either House, against it. And if the mem
bership OF both Houses shall be so made u,
at any time that two-third vote for tht
measure can be obtained in each, its en-
actmont into law will become certain
and the burden Of your taxes will be inev
itably increased and prolonged.
An Executive veto is in the nature of an
appeal to the people, to euable them to pass
upon coutroyertcd questions involving grave
considerations Of public or safety. Upon
a question ofthis kind, in which every man,
woman and child in tie Commonwealth is
interested, this great prcrogative of the Ex-
ecutivc, conferred by the Constitution,
should be fearlessly exercised. Is not this
such an OCCASION Is not the subject to be
considered vitally important ? Is it not ur-
gent that you should determine it for your
selves, in the selection Of men to represent
you in the Legislature of 1871?
Be this as it may, this question is in fact
submitted for your Judgment. The issue
upon it was distinctly aud openly made at
the last session between the Legislature
and the Executive, and that issue is now
before you for your arbtramont, and you
should instruct your Representatives in each
and every county, in accordance with your
wishes ard determination upon this import
ant subject.
Should you, by your Indifference to the
question, or by careless and uncacula-
ting choice Of the persons to represent you
in the Legislature, encourage and strength
en- the combination of men who desire and
threaten to invade your treasury, rest as
sured that the vast fund now sacrcdly de-
voted to the payment of the public debt
will be seized and carried off
The nine auu a rlII ulIlIuu, 20 ,,oru.
securities in that fund, with all the interest
to accrue thereon, will be voted away from
the peoples treasury; the State credit will
be prostrated ; your taxes will be increased, |
and your Executive will be impotent to
help you. If, on the contrary, alive to
your interests and honor, you sustain the
appeal sent to you from the Executive
Chamber and you are now about to select
your candidates for Representatives, you
should determine to re-afirm, with empha-
sis, the command Of the Constitution that
'no part of the said Sinking Fund shall be
used or applied otherwise than in the ex-
of the public debt" you will
strike a just, severe and timely blow at cor
rupt legislation and protect yourselves
agaiust grievous pecuniary loss.
The lesson will not be lost. Its salutary
effect will be great and lasting. Both for
The present and the future it will improve
the tone of public morals; repreSs the IN
Dlushing cfrontery and corruption of the
lobby curtail the influence of arrogant
and secure the sincere CON-
nendation of all good and patriotic men.
The assault npon the treasury, in the
passage of the nine and half million bill. |
hough the most conspicuous example of
he evil influences of corporations upon the
is not the only one. 1t possesses
pre-eminent importance, but it does not
stand alone. Then, fellow-citizens, has not
he time come for determining the ques-
ion Of title to sovereign power in this Com
Is that power rghTful and
ndefeasable estate Of the people, or does
t reside in incorporated companies created
~ our laws? Win you, with your eyes
,pen, consciously surrender the centrol over
Iour own representatives, and give your
,onsnt that cor poratiOns shall beside your
avs? Shall your Government be pure, pa
riotic and just, true to yourselves and true
o sound principles of administration; Or
hall it be the instrument of corporate am
,ition and avarice, and an object of public
est, ridicule and reproach? Or, in other
words shall corporations supercede the Gov
and become the masters of the peo-
DE
And now, my fellow citizens, with this
warning, leave this important subject in
7our hands; trusting that you will be ip-
pired with the viii and the resolution to
lefend the integrity of your government
md to preserve unsullied the credit and
he honor of the Commonwealth