The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-06-15
The Extra Session.

The following Is the Governors mes
sage conyening the Legislature i'll extra
session:
HARRlsBuRG, June Go tie Sen
ate and the House Of Representatives
Of The Commonwealth Of Pennsylcd.
nia-GESrLEMEN BY virtue of the
authority vested in me by the constitu-
ton, | hereby convene you in eXlraor.
dinary session Oh Thursday, the seventh
day of June, Anno Domini one thous-
and eight hundred and eighty-three, at
twelve o'clock noon of that day. In
the judgment of the executive such an
extraordinary occasion has arisen as to
require the exercise of this power The
constitution commands the general as
semblp Immediately after each United
States decennial census to apportion
the state into senatorial and represen-
tative districts. This imperative man
date has not been obeyed. BY the
joint rules of your houses the time has
gone by when any bills disclosing a
purpose to perform this duty can he
presented to me for approval.
The obligation is imposed upon the
governor to "take care that the laws be
faithfully executed" l deem it my duty,
therefore, to exhaust my lawful author
ity to correct the grave default of the
legislature. Equally important and
necessary, though not so specifically
commanded by law, is the duty of the
assembly to apportion the state into
congressional and judicial districts. l,
therefore, designate the apportlonment
Of the state into senatorial, representa-
tive, congressional and judicial dis.
trlcts as subjects for legislative cousi-
deration.
The right of the people to fair, just
and lawful representation in the legis-
lative councils of the state and Union
is secured by the constitution, and must
not be denied. The importance of the
right cannot be over-estimated. 1t is
the essential principle of our form of
government. 1t underlies all our politi-
cal rights 1t is to be jealously guard
ed, carefully conserved and faithfully
carried out.
The time is peculiarly fitting for the
passage of bills to secure a fair, Just,
equitable and non-partisan apportion-
ment of the state. The two houses of
the assembly are composed of MAORI
ties of different party affiliations. A
greater degree of fairness is to be ex-
pected from such condition of the
legislative body than if it was domi-
mated in both branches by majorities
of the same party convictions Each
house will prove a check upon the other
in any attempt to obtain unfair advan.
tages. Mutual concessions and a spirit
of Cancellation ought to result in an ad-
jnstmcnt of the differences of the two
houses and the prompt passage of bills
fair in spirit, giving just representation
to the people in all sections of the
state.
In addressing ourselves to these sub
jects, we must keep instantly in view
the guide provided in the constitution
directing that the legislative districts
shall be composed of compact and con
tiguous districts as nearly equal in
population as may be-" This is plain
and simple rule, established for our
guidance by the fundamental law. To
follow it in its spirit will result in just
conclusions. There ought not to be
any doubt of the legislature speedily
agreeing upon the subjects desi gnated
for their consideration, tits their duty
to agree. A further delay in this mat
ter will result in at least six years of
the decade elapsing without the appor.
tionment required by law being made.
To prevent such an indefensible condi-
tion of affairs i have deemed it obliga-
tory upon me to proclaim this call for an
extraordinary session. | have selected
time for your assembling Immediately
succeeding the day of adjournment of
your regular session, so as not to neces-
state your recall after you had dispersed
to your homes In this way the ex-
pense of the session will be lessened as
the machinery for the conduct of bust
ness of the assembly is ready for use |
reluctantly convene the legislature at
this season of the year. Nothing but
a sense of imperative duty impels me to
adopt this course. | hope, however, in
few days you will have concluded
your labors to the satisfaction of the
people, aud having discharged your
constitutional duties will be able to re-
turn again to your families and homes.
ROBERT Il. PArrIsoN.
In obedience to the call the legisla-
ture met on Thursday at IL o'clock,
and after the introduction of several
apportionment bills adjourned until
June 10Th. There was considerable
discussion about the pay during the
vacation, but there is no doubt that,
every member will draw his ten dollars
day from the state while he is at
home attending to his private affairs.
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