The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-01-10

the parties IN Interest vi. Vtoisc
L. Harrison. a public spirited and
udicinus citizen of Philadelphia,
consented. on solicitation, to convey
the message of the people of Penn
svlyania. embodied in the
action of the General Assembly.
With the added sanction and co
operation of the President of the
United States. through the Secretary
of State, he visited England IN
person. at his own expense, and
sought by weli-directed negotiations,
to carry out the objects expressed IN
theioint resolution. His application
was finally denied.
He has, without cost to the State,
made a printed report of his mission.
Mr.. Harrison well and faithfully
sought a successful issue OF the I'M
dertaking His presentation of the
motives which might fairly dictate
the proposed removal of the remains
of William Penn to the soil If Penn
svlvania. upon which he illustrated
the greatest and best work OF his
life. is worthy of record, and really
affords a satisfactory Justification OF
the action of the Legislature. His
own conduct, in the peculiar nature
of his negotiations, was intelligent,
courteous and jealous, and he has
omitted no appeal suggested by pa
triotism. sentiment, or logic. There
must be general regret that the peo-
pile of the State have filled in an
affair which deserved success.
BOARD OF PARDoNs.
Herewith viii be submitted a list
If pardnns recommended and grant
ea during the last four YEAR., togeth-
er with the reason in each case.
The whole number of pardons issued
in that time was 16S, arising out OF
l49 cases. The number of convlcts
in our iails and p%enitentiaries is
about 5000, which number repre-
sents the constant population IN
penal institutions under conviction.
1t is a testimony to what | con-
eeived to be the fidelity of the Board
Of Pardons that the applications be
fore them have steadily decreased,
year by wear, being one hundred
and sixty five in 1879, one hundred
and thirty seven in 1880. one hun
dred and twenty five in 1881 and one
hundred in 1882. A pardon is an
act of mercy, and mere grace, in
most cases, and is not to TIE judged
10y the rules of exact justice. If it
were an act of pure right in favor Of
the applicant, it would cease to be a
pardon. There are many avenues
bv whihh the Board may be rightly
approached in seeking the exercise
of clemency-justice, mistrial. suffi-
cheney of punishment, sympathy,
the %suiferings of an innocent family,
and numerous other considerations.
As the Governor is not a member of
the Board, and does not hear the
presentation of the cases, | have, in
the absence of reason TO suppose
some imposition practiced. been in
the habit of taking the recommends
tons of the Board, having confidence
in their regard for tine public wei
fare, as well as in their sensibilities
in their integrity, as well as in
their humanity.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
1t is unlikely. hal in our day and
generation. any essentially new idea
will be introduced into the Govern
ment OF the Commonwealth. Its
great principles have been settled in
the course of Anglo Saxon history.
They are irrevocabiy secured in our
Constitution-our individual and
social rights and duties are therein
wisely defined. From time to time
Inequalities ard excuses will arise.
hut thew viii be readily subordinat
ed to the common welfare. These
are but questions Of detail. Some
of them suggest for your considera
ton.
The Constitution requires that the
Geaeral Assembly. at its first session
or as soon as may be, shall pass sucf
laws as may carry the same
into full force and effect. No legis.
lation has, as yet, been had, giving
effect to section twelve, article XVI
in reference TO the consolidation o
telegraph companies owning com.
peting telegraph lines; o to section
seven, articles XVII, in reference t.
discrim nation IN ct,ar-es or facili'
ties for transportation between
transportation companies ard iadi
viduais.
Some amendments might judi
ciously he made to the genera.
corp ration act of 1874: more spe
officially, denying exclusive rights &
corporations for furnishing light and
heat to the publicby means of natur
al gas or electricity. The former i,
a natural productand the market fol
i should not be restricted t. a 81 lgl,
purchaser. The u,e of the latter
does not Saepl Ia have been contem
! plated in frsn,isg the act of 1874.
the Legislation appropriate to
municipal government, especially il
! cities of the first and second class
will early engage your attention.
Ii casnot be disguised that tn,
subject is rendered difficult by the
manifold c~omplexity which charac.
sterizes the communal life Of a great
city. The attempt to secure The
life, property, health and general
well being of hundreds of thousand.
of individuals by peans of a single
municipal organization, tends, o.
itself, to provoke colliding Forces
and its successful accomplishment
requires the accommodation of in.
~terests of greatest moment. Blu
you will not approach its solution
without a substantial groundwork
already laid out for you.
The report of the municipal com
mission, made IN 1877, is anon,
your records, and contains a ful
and complete collation. of facts vel
digested, and supported by opinioaI
and experience derived from tn,
widest scope OF inquiry. The results
of their investigation have been EN-
bodied in a bill reported by th'
Commission. The attention of tn,
LEGISLATURE has neon fraouan,ir no n