The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-04

their efficient purpose. The executive Is placed
In the dilemma Of either crippling institutions
Of charity, hospitals and institutions OF learning,
or violating the constitution by creating q cur.
rent Indebtedness OF the state in excess OF
100000.
Take the case in questionable appropriation
OF $500, 600 to the public schools. The con-
stituton makes It mandatory that the legisia-
ture shall appropriate Tor their support at least
100000 a year. Suppose the legislature had
appropriated Sl0,OO0,Oo0 year instead OF S5,5D,.
900 year, and that the appropriation would
have involved mourning a state indebtedness OF
5000 90 or s., 900 900 more; what would the
executive do to avoid violating the provisions Of
the constitution II he were to veto or dis
approve OF the whole item, then he would yo'
late the constitution, as II provides that sl0o0,-
ono shall be appropriated for each year. II he
does not disapprove, he violates the constitution
in CONJUNCTION with the legislature in creating
a state indebtedness In excess Of s1,00O,00o. Is
il 10 he contended that the trainers OF the con.
stitutlon, on the one hand, sought TO impose
upon the governor grave constitutional obliga
tions o! the utmost public Importance, and, on
the other hand, to strip him oi the very power
the exercise Of which Is essentially necessary TO
enable him to perform and discharge said obi.
cations?
Answering his own question and
showing the faulty logic of the COVER
nor's critics, Judge Love continues:
II any other construction be made of said
section Of article iv., then the very bill making
appropriation OF money should he specifically
itemized. IL not, then the power intended to be
conferred upon the governor Is barren snd must
fail OF the purpose intended. Ii the legislature
fails to set forth the distinct items for which
an appropriation is made to charitable or edit
oational or benevolent institution, and II the
aggregate item approved be made up Of a num-.
bcr OF items, why has not the governor the
power, as legislator, to investigate as to the
sundry items appropriated, although not dis.
tinctly set forth in the bill, and disapprove OF
any, or some OF them, and only approve the ag-
gregate Item TO the extent IL may be reduced by
any such item being disapproved? Il is mani.
fest that the construction above given 20 the
sixteenth section OF article iv. OF the constitu.
tion Is the only one that it consistent with the
purpose and intent OF The constitution, in view
OF its other provisions. II gives proper effect
to all involving this subject and does violence
TO none. II enables the successful execution
OF the policy and purpose of the constitution
and state TO foster and aid the educational,
charitable, benevolent and state institutions in.
teIligently and in accord with the purpose and
intent Of the constitution, without iniuring or
destroying the efficiency or work and purpose
Oh any, ana also 10 preserve the solvency OF the
treasury and the credit OF the state, so that
the state may be able 10 meet its Legitimate. cur
rent obligations.
Laying aside all factional bias, is not
the Interpretation here laid down "a
prudent safeguard against legislative
carelessness, recklessness and extrava-
gance? Governor Stones severest crit
les will one day recognize that he was
right and will look back with pleasure
upon the backbone with which he held
to his conviction regardless of tram
sient clamor and abuse.