The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-01-09
GOVERNOR rArrIsoS's MESSAGE.

Gov. Pattison's. message was read in both
Houses of the Legislature. He saws that the
financial credit of the state Is Of the very
highest order. II will be only few years
until the last dollar of the debt IL extinguished
and the revenues will easily admit Of n con-
tinuance Of the generous appropriations for
education which have been recently made,
but there IL nothing in the situation TO justify
wasteful expenditure or reckless legislation
The Governor recommends that special
franchise tax should be levied on all corpora
tions and distinguished from property tax.
He argues that the entire legitimate cost OF
the State government can be paid by taxation
upon corporations and collateral inheriiances
and the tax and fees OF county officers, asj
therefore the taxes upon other forms of per-
sonal property and all license money. mer-
camille taxes, ETC., should be returned 10 the
counties to relieve them from their present
burdens. He opposes the repeal OF the taxes
upon merchants, billiard tables, brokers, etc.
but he condemns the present system otcollcc-
ton and suggests that II should be recon-
structed so rs to place II within the control
of the local authorities and divert the reve-
nues to the counties aud municipalities. He
renSws his recommendation that some simp-
Ter method of levying and collecting the State
taxes should be adopted aud suggests that
gas and electric companies be made taxable
He thinks that public charities, hospitals,
churches. educational institutions and the
like might we'll be exempted from the col
lateral Inheritance tax.
Concerning tho labor troubles. the Cover
nor says;
There ought to be no difficulty in devising
n board of arbitration In which both sides
might have confidence and to whose impartial
judgment both would yield respect. Such
suggestion Is not intended TO interfere
with the right OF contract; but when either
the oppression OF the great railroad, mining
or manufacturing corporations OF the State.
tha nd
OF their employees Interfere with the free
movements OF our citizens, obstruct travel on
the public highways. check the supply OF the
staples OF life or threaten the ppH ic peace
anu order, the responsibility for thB condition
OF affairs becomes a matter OF governmental
concern. Corporations deriving their life
and powers from the Commonwealth and
seeking Its protection owe to 1t the duty of
serving and carrying out the purposes OF
their organization. When they confess them
selves unable TO do this, because OF a lack OF
confidence on the part OF their employees and
an incapacity to satisfactorily adjust the
question of wages, they become subject to
tine visitation ofthe Commonwealth. 1t has
been well said: 'The State Is bound In the
end TO interpose; and II the State is to come
in at the fnish with the bayonet, 1t may as
we'll come in at the start with the balances
On the subject OF strikes the message says
| that OF the 81 which occurred In 1894 all but
three failed to effect the purpose at which
| they were aimed. Regarding the complaint
that miners are dcfrauded by false weights,
| the governor thinks the state might appoint an
| officer 10 test mine scales and to measure and
brand the cars. He admits that corporations
| violate the spirit OF the law forbidding COM
| pany stores and think that moro particular
legislative definition of this form OF labor OPP
| preston Is demanded.
With respect to railroad DETERMINATIONS, he
| says:
THAT common on rriprs should N ot afford
| superior facilities or lower rates to one per-
| son or corporation under like conditionst tnan
| to another, and that transportation line
should not charge more for the shorter than
| for the longer haul, seem TO be such Obvious
propos.t. Gus that they apply as forcibly to
| the sense Of commercial expediency as to
| that OF natural justice. Nevertheless II Is
| freely charged and has been frequently dis
| closed In Judicial proceedings, that these
automatic principles Of law. justice and trade
are constantly violated. More stringent and
| positive legislation is needed to enforce
| them. Every sort Of secret rebate, dlscrim-
| iDation and fayoritism should be made pun
ishable by line and Imprisonment Of the
| individuals who practice Them, and shoald
warrant the forfeiture OF corporate power
which thus abuses IL.
| 10 preyen; the creation Of monopolies In
street railroads, the Governor suggests that
| the Legislature should prescribe regulations
| similar TO those OF the fourth section OF
Article II OF the Constitution, relating to par
allel and CONF citing lines OF railroads and
| canals.
The Governor calls attention to the matter
| OF public road improvements He suggests
that some legal provision might be made to
put the direct control OF the roads between
principal points or populous centers into
control OF the counties, and certain license
taxes now paid 10 the State might be divert
ed TO the counties to provide for the increase
Of cost OF improving and maintaining such
highways.
wEDsEsDAY.-In the senate Mr.. saylor. Of
Montgomery, introduced bill authorizing
building and loan associations, when series
Of stocks has matured, or when applications
Tor loars by the stockholders shall exceed
the accumulations Of the treasury. TO make