Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-01-09

unite TO strictly and faithfully enforce its
provisions.
As each days experience reveals the
methods Of administration, the conviction
grows stronger In my mind that good gov
ernment depends not so much upon written
laws as upon the disposition of the people
to comply with the demands Of the laws,
and the determination of those delegated to
execute them, to see that their mandates
are enforced. Reform, it will bc conceded,
cannot be maintained by mere constitutions
al enactment, nor by surrounding Offices
and trusts with additional restraints.
The worlds history from the earliest
ages has shown that no code of laws, how
ever comprehensive or restrictive, will
evade mans ingenuity if bent upon over.
stepping their bounds, and wise aud neces-
sary as the provisions Of the new Con-
stItution may be they will never secure the
ends designed unless sustained by IA strong,
active, healthful and intelligent sentiment
that will interest itself in public affairs. 1t
will not suffice to enact that integrity and
fitness are essential qualifications for office,
unless the people see to IL that none with
out these qualifications are selected. 1t
is the indifference and inattention of cleo
tors to their primary political duties, con-
nected with nominations and elections, that
despoil the law of its sanclity, and afford
security to those who willfully disobey its
requirements.
Men do not fulfill the obligations of citi-
zenship by merely enjoying the protec-
lection our institutions afford. TO perform
his whole duty to the State every citizen
should actively engage 10 political concerns
when the recurring elections invoke his at
tention and interference. In our system
of government every man entitled to vote
is invested with grave public trust, and
if through indifference or neglect, he fails
to discharge the sacred duties it imposes,
he is almost as culpable as the other who
deliberately violate, the law. With this
new departure in our organic law, let there
also be accompanying resolution on the
part of all good citizens that they will at.
tend diligently aud conscientionsly to the
selection Of fmen ior office whose dignity of
character and intellect will be an adequate
guaranty that the new Constitution will be
safe in their keeping.
Upon the present Legislature devolves
duty involving great care and labor, and
which ii discharged. as believe it will he,
with a proper regard for the public interest,
will rebound to its credit and honor. To
you is committed the important trust of
moulding existing regulations into con-
tornity with the change about to be inau-
gurated in the fundamental law of the
State. Bring 10 the performance of this
high and responsible duty all the wisdom
you possess, ,dlvest yourselves of all selfish
considerations, devote time and thought to
the work, aud with the New Constitution
has your constant guide, build up a good
and symmetrical system of laws, and let us
SO far as it lies in our ability start the State
forward upon her future career, clothed
with ample powers to extend her enter
prise, and u!iill her great destiny.
To another consideration invite public
attention. All special enactments are not
necessarily bad laws, while it may be
equally accepted as true that all general
enactments are not good laws. / enjoin
upon the people of the whole State increas-
ed vigilance in their watch over all legisla-
lion. Attempts will d9n6l!ess be made to
mentality of general laws, which. while
they may benefit one interest or locality.
might prove very oppressive to others.
Leu every citlZens who has the interest of
the State at heart lend his assistance TO the
Legislature and Executive. 10 detect aud
Illustrate such schemes.
49,, g III S a. some lenStn upon the re-
poi. vi the state superintendent of common
schools and recommends action ,,,,,,,, '.,.',,n
mode to compel the attendants. of those
children whose parents ure unw;llin, 70 al
10" thelr offspring To avail Themselves of
the dement, our school system afford, Uean.
p,oves Oh the superintendent's views. 10
auopt some plan u secure the attaudanco
al school OF every child in the Stale T.,
regard to soldiers orphans, he recomme,ds
some measure To furnish Them with trades.
In reference to State Banks, saving funds. !
ana trust companies he SAYS:
nave always entertained serious doubts
Is TO the propriety of banks of discount
'ay ing interest on deposits, and am now
convinced that this pernicious practice
mould De prohibited. Money will always
low 10 banks paying interest on deposits
ma the large surplus thus aggregated. &c,
luced oy attractive offers, is sent to the
'reat money centres, where it gives more
Ihpulse 10 speculation, while the sections
rom which II is drawn suffer in all ,ha;r
nteprises from the higher rates they are
ompelled to pay for the money ren,aipino
home. This system of PURCHASING de-.
osits was undoubtedly one of the prinoinal
auses Oh the hnanciai crisis of 1857. and
I this year. When banks have large de.
osits ON call and have their loans on time
the event OF any great stringency i'm The
honey market, disaster is ain. .ost ipeyita.
lie.
Within few years many State banks
ave been chartered, with the captivaiing
ames OF saving banks, designed TO attract ,
eposits. These banks and savings funds J
70 entirely distinct in organization and !
lrpose, and should never be associated in !
ieir management. The one is a bank of |
scouht intended to supply the wants of
Isiness, the other is simply repository J
r peoples money, limited to small !
n4un's ,pa 70 eacn individual, the aggregate
the amounts thus received TO be invested |
mortgages on unincumbered property
orth double the amount of the morlraue Z
I'd in secure public stock, in safe propor, "a
Jns. o
A bank is conducted with the ayowed e.
Ject OF benefit to lis stockholders A saw n
gs fund is presumed to be MANAGED en-. D
ely IN the interest Of depositors amony
iaoorinS classes, or those of limited ie
cans aud business qualifications. and The OF
'ehtial requisites of which are such pru- te
nee and safety in the disposition of The u
ads as will best enhance their yalue far VI
oeneht of these classes of denosjtors Ia
IN in charge of savings funds shouId a
We no personal ends to serve should h.. m
Dve temptation, and receive their highest
ward in the good accomplished by indnc. bu
saving habit which, once fixed, leads Ia
prosperity. ''"''
The objects oftrust compapies sbouId ho NJ