The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-01-12
s Il y O rs
CovERNoR's MEssAGE

sage, delivered before the Pennsylvania Lee
gslatare on the 4th inst, precludes the pos
sibility of our giving it in full in our columns,
but the following synopsis, for which we are
indebted TO the Pittsburgh Post, will be
fouEd to contain all of public interest en-
bodied in that somewhat prosy document:
INTRODUCTORY.
An All wise Providence has permitted you
to assemble under circumstances demanding
profound gratitude to the Great Lawgiyer of
the Universe. Cur Acknowledgment are
first due to Him whose hand has not grown
weary in showering blessings IN profusion
upon the people in every department of in-
Gustry, aud crowning their toll with richest
rewards.
The circumstances under which you com
mence the duties Of the present session are,
indeed, auspicious aud at no former period
in our history has there been greater cause
for felicitation upon the inestimable blessings
we enjoy, and the happy and prosperous
condition Of our great aud growing Common
wealth.
FINAECBs.
It affords me pleasure to congratulate the
people upon the satisfactory condition of the
Treasury. Every demand upon it for ordi-
nary and other expenses has been promptly
paid, and the public debt materially reduced.
which has inspired such public confidence IN
the securities Of the COMMONWEALTH as to
cause them TO command the highest premi-
ums in the marie ct. The operations of this
department will be presented TO you more
fully aud in detail iu the reports Of the Au-
ditor General, State Treasurer, and Commits
sioners of the Sinking Fund.
SUMMARY OF PUBLIC DLBT.
Receipts during the year ,,.3s,aC5 g g
TOTAL debt Hov- !, 1870 50
REDUCTION Or THE PUBLIC DEBT
On the 18th day Of January, 1867, the
total Indebtedness of the State was Thirty
seven million seven huLdred and four thous-
and four hundred and cine dollars and sev~
enty-seven cents Since then, and up to
November 80, 1870, the sumSof six million
FIVE hundred and uinety-two thousand seven
hundred and fJgty-seveu dollars and eighty
seven cents has been paid. The reduction
during the year ending November 80, 1870,
is one million seven hundred and two thous-
and eight hundred anl seventy nine dollars
and five cents.
The average reduction per annum, for the
last four wears, is one million six hundred
and forty-eight thousand one hundred and
eighty seven dollars.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
In relation 10 a Constitutional Convention
the Governor submits the following:
FrSt-D1IeIent systems Of laws for roads,
bridges, schools. elections, pOor-hous0s, and
many other things, are enacted for the sew
eral counties, ownships and borougbs, on
subjects which ought TO be regulated by
general laws. operating uni'orm!y upon all
,Sec0nd-Tt is impossible for the citizens,
Judges of the courts, or members OF the legal
profession, to acquire or retain an accurate
knowledge of the varying systems Of laws in
their respective districts and frequently, on
removal from one county TO another, our
people find themselves under almost entirely
different codes.
Third Practically, the whole theory of
our Constitution and government Is subVert-
ed and destroyed by the present system Of
local enactmeutS. Representative govern
mcnt is based on the idea that the laws shall
be framed by. and be the result Of. the col
lective wisdom OF the peoples representatives.
But what are the actual facts The minds
and efforts Of the members are so wholly ab'
sorbed by private aud local bills that it is
almost impossible 10 get a general or public
act considered or passed. The special and
local bills are usually drawn by the member
representing the locality, or by some one
from the district interested in the proposed
law. By what is called courtesy, 1t is con-
sidered a breach of etiquette fur any mem
aer of the Senate or House to interfere with
or oppose a merely private or local bill! OF
any other member. The result Il, the bills
are passed as originally prepared, without
examination or comparison OF views-oiten
crude and ill-digested-and without regard
TO constitutional requirements, OF sound
public policy. Some of the worst oi those
bastv and badly considered enactInents are
arrested by Executive interposItlOn; but 10
the nature Of the case, the vote at best can
only be made n partial restraint upon the
evil and nothing can eradicate 1t short oil
constitutional prohibition.
F0artk-Special legislation is the great
and impure fountain of corruption. private
speculatious and public wrongs. 1t has be-
come rerrosch 10 Republican Government
and is one of the most alarming evils OF the
time. Judicious amendments to the Con-
stituiion would arrest aud destroy the grow
ins evil /: and it is the duty of every patriotic
citizen to CO. o-operate in all lawful measures to
effect SO desirable cousummation. In the
enactment laws radical change is demand
ed. Every bill presented for adoption should
he read. at least once in full. and the yeas
and pavs be recorded ON its final passage.
Fitih-It is important that the State Con
stituiion should be made to conform to the
Constitution of the United States as recently
amended.
Sirth-The subject Of minority represen-
tation is now much agitatej, aud is isreceiying
a large share of consideration among
thoughtful and consiaerate men. 1t ems
braces problems Of great political impot-
tancs. aid its manifest justice commends 1t
to pvb!ic favor. Whilst some Of the objects
it proposes might be obtained by legislative
enactments. the general principles IN volyed
are 50 elementary and radical, they should
if adopted, be incorporated into the funda-
mental law.
.Sscenth-Tha members Of the General
Assembly should be increased in number.
hH-There should he fund damentai
iinif.tion to the powers Of corporations.
Niatd-There is absolute necessity for
greater security for the public funds and for
their proper distribution