Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-21
THE TWO GOVERNORS.


The Inauguration ceremonies at Harris
burg, yesterday, marked the end of Gov
ernor Beavers administration and the be-
ginning of Governor Pattison's second in
cumbency. A very narrow snd prejudiced
view Of the two officials is presented by a
Republican organ, which says: "The new
Governor will have good model to follow,
and il be profits by the mistakes OF his first
administration and shows a conciliatory
spirit toward the Republican majority in the
Legislature he will doubtless leave good
record when in turn he shall lay down the
reins OF Office"
With all disposition to give the retiring
Governor credit for his amiable desire to do
the best be can, and with recognition of
the fact that his administration has been
probably as creditable one as was possible
under the influences which elected it, the
majority of the people of the State who
voted for Pattison will reject any idea that
Pattison can model his action on the lines of
Beavers inaction. This confidence is en-
gendered of Governor Pattison's former
record thar such thing is impossible; and
such a suggestion by Republican organ is
only significant of the political inability to
understand the demands of the people for
an energetic and independent executive.
With all respect for Gov. Beavers estima-
BILE character, it must be said that his ad-
ministration has failed in the respects
which characterize successful representa-
ton of public interest. Gov. Beaver has
not only failed to reach Gov. Pattison's
former standard, but he has failed to fulfil
his own promises. The anti-discriminatio
legislation promised BY him ON the stump,
and in the Republican platform when he
was elected, has not been passed. The
effort which characterized Pattison's former
administration, to make the great corpora
tions respect the Constitution was abandoned
where he left it. With a Supreme Court
decision forbidding the Pennsylvania Rail-
road to control the South Penn road, the State
administration has supinely permitted the
control to 60 on. A telegraphic consolidation
contrary to the Constitution and laws of the
State, only evoked some feeble and prompt
ly abandoned steps by the Governor and his
legal adviser. The Governors record in
connection with. the Johnstown disaster was
a most unfortunate one; and the one charac-
teristic &C: Of his term has been his refusal
to call the Legislature together 10 meet that
exigency, on the remarkable ground that a
Legislature controlled by his own party,
would be SO extravagant that it would not
meet the exigency and promptly adjourn.
The msjority of those who voted for Rob-
ert E. Pattison for Governor did so because
they knew he would not form his admins
tration on this model, and his inaugural
address shows that their confidence was not
misplaced. The first subject he takes up in
his message is that of constitutional enforc.-
ment and his statement of the duty of
enforcing Article XVII of the Constitution
is as ircisive and clear as any of his former
State documents. While the Governor can
not influence legislation, as an executive
who is supported by a majority in both
branches might be supposed to, it is plain
that while he remains in Office the corpora
tions will not be permitted to nullify the
Constitution with impunity.
On the subject of ballot reform the Gov
ernor is as thorough as TIL most radical
supporters of that reform could desire. We
cannot agree with the Governor, any more
than with other advocates of the same idea,
that it is necessary to have a constitutional
convention and abolish the ballot number
ing clause of that instrument. Practical
secrecy of the ballot can be secured by the
pending bill of the Ballot Reform Asso-
citation, and with that done, it will be wiser to
try the full enforcement of the Constitution
than to fly to the uncertainties of the one
that might be produced by the present po-
litical system. The Governors views on
the general subject of ballot reform are,
however, incisive and thorough. and are
characteristic OF the man.
On the subject of taxation and municipal
government, the inaugural also shows an ag-
gressively re!ormatory character. The pro-
possl to rely for State revenue on the cor
poration and collateral inheritance taxes, is
a radical one, but is likely to command
public support. The attack on the use of
city offices as political machinery, with the
argument that city affairs should be man.
aged exclusively on business principles, is
characteristic. The Governors readiness to
put his finger on the weak spot also ap pears
In his remarks on the State repositories, the
sinking fund and the apportionment ques-
ton. The Governors message contains a
decided intimation that his administration
will follow the lines of his former one, and
will not be modelled from Beavers careful
abstinence from doing anything. That will
be entirely in accordance with the wishes of
the people whose votes elected the new Gov
ernor.