Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-07
PENNSYLVANIA CORPORATIONS.

Gov. PattisOn Sends Message to the Leg
isiature Recommending the Forfeiture
of all NOn-Used Charters-The Transpor-
tatiOn Business.
HARRISBURG, Pa, Feb. 6.-Governor Pat
tison sent message to the legislature
to-day inviting attention to many impor-
tant subjects calling for legislative action.
The governor recommends the abolition of
the offices of recorder in cities of first
class, the delinquent tax collections in
Philadelphia, and sealer of weights and
measures and boiler inspector. Referring
to the office of recorder, the governor says
the act of 1878, which enlarged the duties
of that Office was vicious piece of legis-
lation, enlarging an almost obsolete
Office into one Of vast powers, many of
which seem to have been conferred for the
sole purpose of enabling the officer to get
fees and swell the emoluments to an enor-
nous and unwarranted sum. The Office of
delinquent tax collector seems also to have
been fixed only with an eye to enriching
the official and not for the benefit of the
people. Some of these Offices, says the
message, pay their incumbents greater
compensation than is received by any Off
Ger of the commonwealth, and at least one
of them more than the salary of the presi-
dent of the United States. There
are clerks of courts receiving great
er pay than judges whose subor-
dinates they are, and registers Of wills
whose salaries are twice as much as those
of the court who adjudicate dead mems
estates. The message recommended the
enactment of law abolishing fees and
fI-iU n ta NH ~.
cable, since the law authorizing the charg-
ing OF fee for Office act is equivalent to
the levying of an additional tax. Ali taxes
should first go into the public treasury,
so that the people may know how
much they contribste toward the
cost Of government. Advertising official
notices has been source of many abuses,
and the enactment of some general law is
recommended requiring public advertise
ment in newspapers of the largest circula-
ton. Public money should not be used to
subsidzie channels through which the peo-
pie learn to good extent how their serv-
ants execute their trust. The govern
or also calls attention to
the measure already before one branch of
the Legislature providing tor the settle
ment of disputes between employers and
employees. The law should most vigorous
ly and rigidly guard the interests and pro-
tect the rights of those who labor for
wages. The governor then suggests
the practcability in many in
stances of provision being made requiring
employees to give certain timely notice to
employers before quitting work, on ac-
count of refusal to increase wages, and
the employer to give similar notice to the
laborer before reducing pay. With regard
to the appointments of state officers the
message recommends that the subject
should not be made question of party
zeal, and that all sections and interests
should be given fair and just representa-
ton in accordance with the plain spirit
and intent of the law" The message
concludes with recommends
tion that the legislature take steps for en-
forcing the constitution with regard to
giving equal rights to al individuals and
associations upon railroads and canals with
out discrimination in charges or facilities
as to persons and places. The constitu-
tion now prohibits the consolidation of the
stock, property or franchise of competing
companies, provides that common car
rIers shall not engage in any business 9TH
er than that of common carrying, seeks to
prevent the officers of corporations from
protiting corruptly by the business of
their companies, prohibits unfair prefer
ences IN furnishing cars or motive power
by drawback or otherwise between trans
portation companies or otherwise, and for
bids the issuing of free passes to any per-
son other than to an officer or empIoye.
The governor sincerely recommends
that bill be passed to give full effect to
these sections of the constitution.