The state journal. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1883-1885, 1885-01-10

command or the organic law, BIZ recalling
the General Assembly into extra session fol
the purpose of performing their plain duty
The effort in this behalf was complete tail.
ure. The two Houses remained iii ostensi
bic session for six months, during which
time there was little or no sincere eff
Tort made in carrying the law into effect,
Ihey adjouroed at last with the ConsIi1u.
lion still unoDeYed, but not without easily
succeeding. by sinking all their differences
(Which they had ostentationsly paraded for
the previous six months for the purpose OF
defeating the law) in q coalition TO over.
ride the Executive veto, and take over
hait million dollars of the peoples
money without rendering any return
IN service. The conviction of duty which
induced me to call the extra session has not
changed by reflection, and l would have
again recalled the defaulfing houses into
session had 1 seen the slightest reason for
more than derlete the public Treasury. b =
sides this 1t was evident that the people
were not so unanimously in accord with th e
Executive in his purpose to have the COnSti-
IuEon oDeyed at whatever cost their repIe
sentattves might choose to intiict upon
lhem, as TO Justify Il second ex-
ira session. 1 therefore permitted
the members, without recall, to go to their
homes with their unearned money in their
pockets. and with the record Of their
disregarded oaths and a defied and violated
Constitution behind them. The reasons
which actuated me then g set out at length
In my proclamation converting the session.
They are equally forceful now, and call at
tention to them as my views upon
the duty Of the pre- emit General
which made me particularly DESTROYS,
aside from the legal command, that
appointments should be made at the last
session, was the fact that the two houses
were then divided in political opinion. Such
condition believed to be most favorable
to fair and just bills. The present Legisla-
ture in each branch Is overwhelmingly OF
the same nfaEIlaptiOn | hnna hnWavnr 40
by attention to the rules laid down by the
fundamental law you will be enabled to pa $
equitable superintendent laws, free f.
Partially or partisan uAfairness, to
which the Executive can promptly affix
his signature, and thus give effect 10 the al.
rectiOp o the Constitution and the hereto
fore detied will of the people.
A Parting BenedIctlon.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly, 1
have thus laid before you my thoughts upon
the condition of the Commonwealth, and
have submitted to your consideration sug-
gestions looking to the better govern
ment of the State. That this mes
sage is largely composed of recon-
mendations having in view the correc
ton of errors, the eradication of abuses, and
the reformation of evils, Is due to my Goa
ception that such Is the proper purpose OF u
document of this nature, and the intent of
the law III authorizing its communication
to the Assembly. The basis of our Govern
ment Is NV definitely fixed. Its systems eS-
have long ago passed the creative period
of our history. What is now particu-
larly needed is the perfection of
its parts, by the, looping OFF OF
extravagauces, the supplying of guards and
checks, the reductson of burdens, the aboli.
tiOn of unnecessary offices, and by the va
rlous reforms the necessity of which Is de.
mOnstrated from time to time by trial and
experience. have made it my business, as
L believe 1t to be my duty, to carefully OBJ
serve aud study the government in
Its practical administration, for the
purpose OF ascertaining what imper-
fectiOns or errors there were, and
and what improvements could or ought to
be made. In no other way could obey the
that the laws be faithfully executed" The
results of this observation and study are to
some extent now laid before you. As to
those suggestions that relate to open ques-
ttOnS involving mere matter Of Judgment
ana eXpediency, l make them with diff
dence, and su bmit them to the greater wis,
dom of the collective bodies. As to those
involving questions of duty, speak under
the expressed command of the organic law
whom call the attention of the Legislature
to laws detied, rights unenforced, and the
Constitution Of the peop!e unobeyed an un-
1t is my earnest desire TO cooperate with
the General Assembly In giving validity to
enactments that will dcvelOpe the great
ness of the Commonwealth, insure
the happiness and prosperity OF the
people, restrain and punish the wrong
doer, and protect and elevate the virtuous
and law abiding. To the Legisla-
ture ts committed large share of respOn-
Sibiltty in the achievement of these results
l know OF no better help to this end than q
rigid study OF and compliance with the re
quirements of the Constitution as an in.
strument OF singular perfection, having In
1t tho expressed will OF the people, and
breathing throughout 1t the pure spirit OF
natural justice, popular equality, and pc.
litical freedom. 1t should be the chart and
10
pound, execute or obey The laws.
ROBT. T.. PATTISOS.