The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-01-24


Pennsylvania's New Governor Discusses
Needed Reform, Attacks Monopoiies ana
rrrp.s LexfslatfOn for the Protection OF
the La0orer. n.
HARRIsBuRs, Pa, Jan 1G.--Goyernor Pat
ison was inaugurated to-day. In his
message he says: a.
present time sentence from President JACKSON ;
frEt inaugural, in which he says 'tne reoSnt
Recommendation of public sentiment inscribes on
the list of the Executive duties In cnaracteN O0
lebible to be overlooked; the usK Oh reform ~
YIhis task clearly set before him. the present tx
ecutive will zealousiy strive to fulfill happny
Cor him. there can be no doubt OF the particular
subjects as 70 which Pnoic an4ae a aUs WeI de-
fined. The method OF accompaniment Is me
question for legislative WISDOM III
,,mAtey TO de asgTess e ike Ear This viii
permit Let me briefly state few OF the SUD
ieets OF needed reform. The people oemsn9 sng &
compensation. as sums commensurate with sery
ice rendered. by salaries definitely sscertained;
rigid accountability in EXPENDITURES OF puo 1,si
monies aud the raising OF the efnclency VI clIii
service by makiDg fitness and integrity alone tests
for appointment The Peoplee, demS9o 1t bafr
monies simple and dusiness-like
conduct of the affairs OF the Government, and re
peal of all laws creating avenues Ior reckles S
spending Of public funds at the discretion OF Oh
feials
The people demand that the burdens as well as
benefits q Governments
with fairness, business ana nnparuahty. lhey
demand uniformity and simplicity IN taxSliOn'
and its distribution In such q manner as tnat,
while ali shall bear their Just share of the com
mon burdens those shall contribute most who
receive most and those suffer least VINO can DEAR
least
that we do not lose sight of those upon whom the
impression finally rests. hand that pays tax into
the 1TesuTy is not always the hand that earned II
Contribution system is most equitable, Wnlcn,
weight that none shall escape and none bear
more than their just proportion. our ptesenI
ramihcatiOns is intricate, unequal aud il-dl-
gested. II is to be hoped the present Legislature
win devise some method for simpler and Juster
allotmentzOf these burdens. BY tsclt consent
construction of Article IL OF the Constitution
has been aequieseed In BY whien srea'
corporate bodies ct the STATE nave es
from its provisions They have violated II con-
stantly defanuy and hagrantly. Tne people are
entitled have at least fair trial market OF their
ability 10 bring the vast corporations they nave
created and fostered under their just regulations
and control This leads me to say, In my 1udg.
ment, there is much 70 be done 10 the way OF
legislation TO prevent the power Of corporations
from becoming too vast and irresponsible. They
are a new element in our modern ciVilzatlon.
They have OutgrOwn the most sangufne expecta-
ton in their Development and they have Intro
duced new evils as well as new dement's INTO the
system Their influence has extended Itself 10
almost every department. of business ana life Their
motions not only affect great centers oil money
trade. but the minutest affairs of individuals are
affected Dy their caprice. Thousands of laborsrs
look 10 them for EN- ployment and depend alone
upon their determined measure OF hire. Inc
prices of neceSSaries, too are often regulated oy
their will. al this is exhibition of power not
contemplated in their erestion which had in v ew
solely public interest and general good. The ex-
istence OF such a power in any ombinauOn OF
men is TO be deplOred, and If possible prevented.
or at least regulated or controlled. The people.
am convinced, ask for nothing unreasonable II
their fundamental law Is an expression OF their
Il is the sworn duty of the assembly aud all in
authority to protect and defend the charter OF
Members of the Legislature should be favor
ably impressed with the gravity of their duty In
lhis respect, and obligation for its prompt and
Just performance. With the augmen tatfOn of cor
pOrate power has arisen also other large ccumu-
latiOns of capital devoted TO various forms OF in
dustry. Our own State in the development of its
peculiar sources OF mineral wealth is exception
ally prominent in this respect These accumu-
latiOns of corporate and other capital invested In
business enterprises employ armies OF workmen
concentrated at single establishments. From
this has arisen contests between those who pay
and those who receive wages. In recent years
conflicts have been OF frequent occur
have often resulted in violence, not only 70 the
public peace, but to person and property. Con-
tinusl though irregular, the struggle is now. and
has been for years, going on between these Two
conflicting elements. Complaints of I'M ustice are
constantly being made against one another, and
each in turn appeals to the State for remedial leg
tslaiiOn. These questions. at times, have threat
ened to become a formidable element in our poll
tics aud a disturbing factor in our elections
This Is not as IL should be. IL gives excuse
for reckless demagogues to ply their vocation, ex
poses labor to debasement from intrigues of poll
ucians, and injects rashness and passion in dis
cussiOn which has peculiar need for calmness
deliberatiOn and dispassionate reason. Labor Il
the main pillar of the State. AS an honored
statesman of our own country has said: Labor
is the superior of capital, aud deserves much the
highest Consideration" lean not but indulge
the belief that political system Is capable OF
providing some other remedy than the bayone
Tor the settlement of such disputes.