The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-10-02

FOllOWlng is tne 1ull text OF GOVer-
nor Pattison's proclamation calling an
extra session OF the Senate, together
with his letter to Chairman George
Handy Smith, of the legislative com
mittee appointed to investigate the
Offices of Auditor General and State
Treasurer.
In the name and By tho authority
of the Commonwealth Of Pennsyl.
vanid:
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The Constitution pro-
vides in Article VI, Section 4, that all
officers elected by the people, except
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, men,
bers of the General Assembly and
Judges OF the Courts Of Record learn
ed in the law, shall be removed by the
Governor for reasonable cause, after
due notice and full hearing en- the ad-
dress Of two thirds Of the Senate;
WHEREAS, Grave charges have
been preferred, involving the Auditor
General and State Treasurer and most
seriously ret1e citing upon the manner
in which their official duties have seen
performed;
WHEREAS, 1t is proper that diligent
inquiry should be made to ascertain
whether or not reasonable cause"
does exist for their removal;
WHEREAS, There is in the public
mind profound conviction that the
officials referred to and some OF their
subordinates have been grossly ineffl-
cient, shamefully negligent and entire
ly wanting in due fidelity;
WHEREAS, 1t is the prevailing opin-
ion that some OF the officials connected
with these Offices have been guilty Of
absolute faithlessness and downright
dishonesty, in violation of their oaths
of office and of the criminal laws Of
the Commonwealth;
WHEREAS, If any one of the charges
so made should be established, ap-
propriate action looking to the re-
moval Of the officials involved should
be taken by the Senate OF the Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania. as duty
to the people Of the State, whose good
name has been dishonored and whose
money has been stolen, squandered
and lost
WHEREAS, John Bardsley. late
Treasurer of the city and county Of
Philadelphia, is now convict in the
Eastern Penitentiary for embezzlement
and misuse Of public money, a larger
portion of which would have been in
the State Treasury long prior to an ex-
posure of his transactions had those
charged with the administration of the
duties of Auditor General and State
Treasurer performed them with due
fidelity;
WHEREAS, John Bardsley's stubborn
refusal to disclose any information
whatever as to the conduct of these
officials has compelled the abandon
ment Of proposed criminal prosecu-
tions at least for time
WHEREAS, A proper inquiry by the
Senate may develop evidence sufficient
to satisfy its members that reasonable
cause exists for the removal of the
Auditor General and State Treasurer,
and
WHEREAS, Under the Constitution
the duty and responsibility OF making
diligent inquiry and Of taking appropri-
ate action in the premises are devolved
upon the Senate and the power vested
In the Executive to give the Senate
the opportunity to act;
Now, therefore, !, Robert E. Pattison,
Governor of the said Commonwealth,
in the discharge of what | conceive to
be my duty to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed" and by virtue
OF the power vested in me by the Con-
stitution to convene the Senate in ex-
traordinary session byproclamation for
the transaction OF executive business,
hereby convene the Senate of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in ex-
traordinary session on Tuesday, the
thirteenth day Of October, ammo dom.
mi one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-one.
Given under my hand and the great
seal OF tne otatc AT the city OF Harris
burg, this twenty-sixth day Of Septem-
Der, in the year of our Lord one thous-
and eight hundred and ninety-one and
of the Commonwealth the one hundred
and sixteenth.
By the Governor:
ROBERT f. PATTIsoN.
WILLIAM F. HARRITY, Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ExECUrIvE CHAMBER. Harrisburg, Sept % 1891.
PATTISON WRITES TO SMITH.
The following letter has been adj
dressed to George Handy Smith, chair
man of the joint committee to investi-
gate the offices Of Auditor General
md State Treasurer:
"DEAR Sir: Recent disclosures af-
fecting the administration of the duties
Of the offIrec IS AuJ;tor CauaraI and