Evening journal., 1897-06-08
VETOED BY HASTINGS
Pennsylvania's Governor Reads
the Legislature a Lecture.
He STRONGLY ADVISES ECONOMY.

Thinks the General Assembly Could Bess
Please the Commonwealth by Speedy
AdJournment-Expens and Cues
tionabIe Investigations Criticised.
Harrisburg, June S.-Governor Has
tings has sent TO the senate without
his approval the concurrent resolution
requesting him to state what new sub
jects of taxation he has to recommend
TO the general assembly to increase the
revenues. The executive reminds the
legislature that if in its duty it deems
1t necessary to pass additional revenue
laws there is no duty resting upon him
to name the subjects OF taxation. As 1t
is the fundamental law of the common
wealth that all bills for raising revenue
shall originate in the house of repre-
sentatives it would be contrary nOtonly
to the letter, but also to the spirit Of the
constitution that all bills should origi-
nate with the executive.
Il am not aware" Governor Hastings
adds, that in any time in the past the
executive has been called upon by the
general assembly to take part in legis-
lation, and the resolution under consid-
Grafton has therefore neither precedent
nor authority of law upon which to
stand.
"Your honorable bodies were furnish
ed by me more than FIVE months ago
with detailed estimate of the probable
revenues during the next two fiscal
years and were advised at the same
time that appropriations would not be
approved in excess Of the estimates so
made unless additional revenues were
provided. During the period that you
have been in session but one revenue
measure has reached me, commonly
known as the direct inheritance tax
bill
Advises Reduction of Salaries.
The amount that will probably be
realized from this measure will be S14,-
100000 per annum.
''At this time, when almost all indus
tries are suffering, when trade is stag
nant and when willing labor can find
no employment, economy in the ex-
penditure of public moneys should con-
troll the general assembly in its ap-
propriauons and will certainly control
the executive in the consideration Of all
measures. have steadily withheld my
approval from various bills increasing
the salaries Of public officials, but 1
would gladly approve any bill that
might be lawfully passed decreasing
reasonably existing salaries from the
highest to the lowest.
Representing as you do all portions
of the state, being familiar with its
public institutions, your committees
having visited them for the purpose of
ascertaining their needs, your honorable
bodies viii best understand how judi
cious reductions may be made without
working serious injury to any. Where
as, If necessity compels the Withholding
Of executive approval from appropria-
tions in order to keep the treasury sol
vent much harm may be done to worthy
institutions by Withholding all where
half would greatly help.
"Our public schools must be sustain
ed, our penal institutions provided for
and the unfortunate in mind and body
whom we have always with US must re-
ceive our sheltering care. There is
money for all these if wisely admlnis-
tered.
Two Ways to Meet the Exigencies.
There are two ways for states as
we'll as individuals to successfully meet
such exigencies as the present condi-
tions impose. The first is 70 increase
the income to meet existing outlay. This
Is practically impossible for state or in
dividual at this time. The other is to
reduce expenditures so as to live with
In the income. This is good housekeep-
ing. Instead Of searching through the
crippled business interests of the state
for new subjects to tax or calling upon
me to point them out it will be much
easier and more in the line of duty as
public servants to exert our energies
In finding where the burden of taxa
tion may, in some measure. be lifted
from the shoulders Of our people.
Existing conditions should admonish
us to exercise the strictest economy in
all matters and in every direction. The
enormous expense incurred by investi-
eating committees, some Of them per-
haps of doubtful necessity, and the lib
erality with which the public funds
have been heretofore used in contested
election cases, have very probably ar
rested public attention, and I earnestly
urge upon your honorable bodies the
clrtailment Of expenses Of this char
acter.
Your prompt action upon and speedy
disposition Of the work remaining be-
fore you. making an early adjournment
possible, will, am confident, meet with
the approval of the people of the com.
monwealth."
The governor also states in his mes
sage that, according TO the estimate o.
the fiscal officers of the state there viii
be a deficiency Of about SO, ,62O. .5941s OF
Nov. 30.
Shot His Brother.
st. Louis, June S.-George FeiferlicB
a son of one of the Oldest and bes
known families in st. Louis, fatally in
jured his brother Joseph. aged 27, in