The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-11
TEE VETO.


ExYCuTivE CHAMBER, HAnRtsBURG, Feb. 10,
i60-lo SEAArK AND HOUsE-Gentlomen Having
carefully considered Senate bill No. 20, entitled
IAN act TO provide for the appointment of Me-
topoiisn Police for the City Uf Philade phia," aud
although actuAtUd by % sincere desire to conform
my action IN regard TO 1t 10 that OF the General AS
sembly, am constrained TO withhold the Executive
sanction, anu proceed 90 the constitutional duty of
giving my reasons for disappearing.
In the irst place, the title IL not in oonfor nifty
with the 9Th section Of the lth article of the con-
stitution, which declares that emo bill shall be
passed by the Legislature containing more than one
subject, which shall DO clearly expressed In the
title" As read the bill, one of the most mporant
features IL the election of FIVE police commissioners
and yet this idea is neither clearly expressed nor
even remotely Indicated by the ttle
Another objection to the bill is, that the whole
sixteen pages are iumbled together into section
ne IL usual aud proper TO divide bills of such length
into sections, each embracing some marked feature,
and to have the sections arranged according to
natural order. Although this is only a matter of
form, am aware Of no good reason for this depar-
ture from usage and utter disregard of all sound
precedent.
efficiency oil lhe police of Philadep phia, and am
fully persuaded many of them are not such rs the
good of0cr Of the city demands. But whilst this is
acknowledged evil, and proper subject for
legislative consideration, | moro than doubt the
manifest, however that it Is a most important one,
that attcoutempates an entire revolution in this
branch OF city government.
Tie constitutional authority of the Legislature,
ina period OF profound peace, TO create a power
such as is contemplated by the metropolitan police
bill, to operate over the whole State any part
thereof, in question OF great magnitude, and one
which, urder republican form OF government,
demands serious confederation. as It involves i'm
here mt and indefeasble rights and other fundamen
tai principles in a government established for the
benefit and happiness of the people.
The bill under consideration is fraught with mo-
mentous consequences to the citizens of Philade-
phia and OF the State; and the position that the
power can be taken away from so large portion of
the people of Pennsylvania, without their consent,
for period OF years, and lodged in the hands of
six persons, is TO me extraordinary, untensbe, and
in violation of the spirit meaning and intent OF the
first and second sections of the twelfth article of
the Constitution The second section declares that
all power is inherent in the people. All free gov
erninents are founded on their authority and inst
tuted for their peace, safety and happiness. The
Constitution sets forth in such plain and unequivo-
cal terms the principles upon which q republican
government shall be conducted, that comment
would be superfluous, and would rather weaken
than strengthen the case.
II there exists any right or authority in the Legs-
lature 10 concentrate power in few men for term
of years, then it must be admitted that they have
the right to do 1t for number of years. or to make
tia perpetuty
TO recognize the right to legislate thus specially
for city s virtually to acknowledge that the
Legislature has authority to make similar enact
mens in every other city, borough, village county
same reasoning, Congress possesses like power to
legislate for the different states, enact grand
metropolitan police bill, and secure plenary, exc
cutiye legislative and judicial powers in the hands
of few persons and thus exclude the masses of the
people from all participation in the government of
themselves. must confess that am entirely
prepared TO sanction any legislation 20 mischievous
racter, and which is calculated to uproOt and de-
stroy the dearest principles and privileges of the
people which underlie the institutions of our we'll
regulated commonwealth. Justice and the dictates
of sound public policy require that the citizens of
every political and corporate DIVISION however
great small should be permitted, as an inherent
right OF self-gOvernmeIt, without "oficers inter-
meddling' from any quarter, to manage their own
local affairs in their way, through officers
lected at the ballot-hoN by themselves. 81.
In remarking upon this subject have elsewhere
said, "The great principle, then. upon which our
free institutions rest is the unqualified and absolute
sovereignty of the people; and constituting as that
principle does the most positive and essential fea-
IN n he
better calculated than any other to give elevation
the people feel that the power to elect their own
officers and administer their own government
abdes in them, so long win they be Impressed with
spring from the consciousness that they hold
within their own hands remedy for every political
evil, a correction for every governmental abuse
and usurpaton. This principle must be upheld
and maintained at all hazards and every sacrifice
breadth and depth, in its utmost capacity and sig
MITIGATION. 1t is not sufficient that it be acknow-
ledged mere abstraction or theory or doctrine,
but practical, substantial, living reality vital
in every part
cessary expenses OF her government of her new,
important and extended improvements, and the In
terest on her immense debt (now greater than that
of the commonwealth, is not in condition to in
her liability, and If she does, it ought to be
with perfect understanding for what purpose and
The salary of the Mayor, who now performs all
the functions that are proposed to be placed in the
$4,000, while the salaries of the six commissioners
at $4,000 each; clerk at $500, and one at $1,000
committing magistrate at the Central Station,
say $4,000, and clerk at $500; and that of the
amining physician, $1,000, amount to the sum OF
e2s000. TO which may be added rents, stationery
printing and incidentals, at least $50, 900 more,
making in all the sum of $50, 600 for salaries and
expenses for the official department alone.
The bill says: HThe said Board shall have entire
control of all the police of the city, and shall have
authority increase the force Of patrolmen shoult
they deem the same necessary and 1t is hereb,
made the duty of the Select and Common Councils
to appropriate sufficient money to meet the ex
of no
every respect the most perfect surrender of penar
powers of the many to the few that have ever
witnessed. Absolute control of the police. Power
wages at any figure, without being subject to An.
check or supervision from any source. Such power
are not exercised by the autocrat of Russia.
The City Councils aud the people seem to be en-
tirey ignored by the BILL except that "the Boar,
shalt from time to time submit to the Council
their estimates of the sums required for the pay
ment OF official salaries and expenses, and for th
maintenance of the police force There is M
check audit prescribed, and no matter wha
may be the sum required, the Councils must pro
vide and appropriate the amount, and the people
already overhurdened must meet largely ly-ncrease
taxation to supply the Councils with the necessar,
means to satisfy the demands of the Board, AM
after paying the 0G0 before mentioned to se
this "1rojan horse" upon it's legs, and introduce
into Philadelphia no one can estimate the in
creased expenses and no one Is TO be responsible
for the damages that may occnr after Its machiner
The police force is also to be put upon wa
footing. Every applicant is TO be submitted to a
examination by "a properly qualified physician,
and If not found entirely competent, and under
years of age, he must be rejected. Why shoul
trusty, ablebodied men and experienced police
officers be excluded from the force, without regar
10 past services present efficiency, merely bt
cause they over 45 years of sgef IL is probabl
the first time in the history of the State that ma
in civil life, who is otherwise suitable in every II
spect, shalt be prescribed when he may have serve
his cOunfrv faithfully armies and attAfnc