Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-01-16

and different rule for another. Th
constitution commands that til
district shall be composed {
compact and contiguous territory.
This rule should be observed rhroughou
the entire state. 1t is palpably violat
ed by the present apportiOnment. I,
disobey it is to commit a wrong agains
government and the peoples right t.
honest and just representation. The mem
! bers of the Legislature should De for
cibly impressed with the gravity of thei
duty in this respect and the obligation 70
its prompt and just performance.
The PsrdOniDg Power.
The exercise Of the pardoning power b!
the executive has been the subject o
much public criticism. Nor is this recent
only SO great had become the popular
complaint that the convention which
framed the constitution attempted to cor
rect what was admitted to be an abuse by
creating board for the hearing of appli
cations for pardon whose Judgment
should be submitted to the executive
for his assistance in determining
the merits of such applications. Such a
plan ought to result in fuller and more
careful consideration and decisions more
in accordance with the dictates of justice
and humanity. do not believe, however,
that tbs pardon board was intended to be
court of last resort for reviewing the
legality of the judgments of the courts be-
ioT and their decisions upon points OF law
and the weight of evidence. Our system of
judisature, with its justices, juries, judges
and supreme court, provides the proper
tribunals for the trial Of causes and has
the confidence Of the community. Their
judgments should not be lightly treated cr
disturbed without overwhelming reason.
The pardon board is not a court for the
trial of questions of law or of
fact. It has become truism
that it is not the severity 80
much as the certainty of punishment
which prevents wrong doing. This GER
tainiy cannot be secured if it is understood
by criminals than after their cases have
been fairly heard and passed upon by
every court known to the law, they may
Stil experiment with tho sympathy and
various judgments of Il mixed board of
lawyers and layinen | shall make it a
rule to grant no pardon, except fer cause
appearing since the tia, and ir ca-es OF
injustice.
q: ":unicipal Gnvern,nent
The government of large cities is 4 SUBJ
ject for g.owing Importance and is attract
ing much attention from minds directed to
questions of municipal reform. 1t has
been In the great centres of population
hat the most fragrant abuses 10 gov
,rn,nent have been m !nifested, aud the
greatest wrongs been inflicted upon
;he people. Extravaganza, fraud and
,iafi h. nf ha1
Ot aid he subvers;on of the popular will
IS expressed at elections have grown to
such proportions iu our large cities that
,he stoutest friends of free government
lave become alarmed for it's permanence.
In my Judgment the best corrective for
many Of these evils is enlarged aud fieer
ocal self government. Beyond few
general Limitations the state should en-
power municipal corporations to regulate
heir own affairs. ln this commonwealth,
It least, many of the most prolific
sources of abuse have been fastened on
titles by the Legislature of the state from
which the people have sought to relieve
themselves in demands for the repeal of
he obnoxious legislation.
Many of their concerns are under the
direction of officers who owe no RESPONSE
,ility to the corporations they serve. In
some instances the power previously con-
err et: upon cities to regulate matters ex-
,lusively affecting the convenience AID
comfort of their own citizens has been
AIKEN from them by the General Assemb-
7.
1t is ,his legislation from a distance that
las caused many Of the complaints from
and that should be stopped
md its wrongs redressed. The people of
ities ho best know their own wants |
hcu!d be allowed to spend their own
money, fix the salaries of their officers and |
'igect their own private affairs. This |
you'd be more in accordance with |
he spirio of our institutions, and would |
make local officers responsible to the peO-
lie whose servants they are and WHO would |
aus have in their own hands the p,wer to |
orrect tie evils under which they suffer. |
The Future OF The Commonwealth.
I look forward with bright anticipation |
o the future of our commonwealth. Her |
are great beyond those of |
,imost any Of her sister states. Let it |
lways be remembered by all citizens that
ntelligesee and virtue are tho safe
,uards Of liberal institutions. The |
sw must be preserved in it's |
integrity and supremacy. Citizensllip |
houd not be treated as light privilege,
,ut ;ts duty shnuli be made !. serious |
natter OF conscientious performance. The |
purity OF our elections must bs sacredly |
preserved. and all alike should feel per-
onal interest in discharsing their ob:isa-
ions to the STATE, and sustaining thu Off
ers of the law in the faithful ani inst |
of their functions.
The Governors Promise.
1t will always be my pleasing duty tc
o operate with the representatives of tbe ,
,eople IN giving validity to enact.
nents whose object is the d.sse:n
nation of information, the promct.2n .
f the general welfare, the placing Of
additional safeguards around the up
light or tbs puuishm ,nt and re-
traint of the laWless and vicious.
Il short, whatever will tend to develop
be resources, increase the comforts or en
.rge the happiness aud prosper
ty of the citizens of q state
vhich has been alike fortunate
q its location aud the wise policy Of it's
ouuder should receive the sedulous 1T
ention and constant support of everyone
Who is called upon to make, expound, ex-
cute or obey the laws.
WEATHER.; INDlIATIONS.