Year: 1873

IatSt4 tf1 ott3 1<1r'1l - ts1ic- W HaNI - s8St
moving to the front of the mannfac-
turing cities of the world. afording
an opportunity 10 display the products
and resources of our States and
I opening TO foreigners new channels Of
information as to our character and
enterprise, it certainly is the ianpera-
tive dnry Of every citizen who loves
his State to lend his countenance and
/ support TO this great exhibition
The dignity and good name of the
Commonwealth are at stake Let us
not forget these by q lack Of public
spirit or by mistaken economy ANY
/ proper place the Legislature may see
1T to adopt TO aid this National under
taking shall receive the hearty con-
! earrcnce Of the Executive


CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT


The subject Of constitutional reform
IS now occupying a large space of
public attention opinions are various
as TO its proprieiy or necessity, as the
views Of men are conservative or
progressive. There is now, howe
yer, in session in PhiIadelphia Con-
vention of respectable and honorable
gentlemen. authorized by the people
to reyise the Constitution To these
gentlemen VIC can confidently refer
the question Of constitutional reform,
in the belief that out Of their com
bined integrity ahd wisdom viii
spring such measures as viii best con-
duce 10 the safety, happiness and
prosperity of our people


SPECIAL LEGISLATION EVIL


There is one foremost and growing
evil, however, to which BY my oath
as your Executive, and nay sense of
duty as citizen, 1 am constrained to
ask your special attention | refer TO
special Legislation, or the abuse Of
legislative power TO further particular
local and private ends 10 the exeiu-
sion Of public business. / cannot
condemn this evil in language too
strong, and il seems but the part of
common sense that some positive res
friction be put upon legislation that
viii conine il TO subjects and make
It's enactmenis uniform and general


THE PaRDoSISG POWER


There is another subject TO which /
NAV be permitted TO advert, because
il concerns one Of nav most important
functions refer TO the par6oning
power The exercise Of this power
rests exclusively within the discretion
and the conscience of the Executive,
and when we consider the inlpOrtuni-
ties OF the friends Of condemned
man and their natural inclination 10
use every influence TO obtain pardon,
it must be conceded that this power
is q irving and dangerous one with
which TO invest any one man. ANY
provision that would relieve the con-
science and divide the responsibility
Of the exercise of this power must
surely commend itself to the good
sense of our people


TIE SINKING FUND.


There is a popular demand. too,
that the sinking fund, containing
bonds that represent the proceeds Of
the sale of public works, and which
are applicable alone TO the payment of
the public debt, shall be kept sacred
for the purpose TO which il is dedi-
Gated. and that the safeguards Of this
fund be made so strong as to protect
If from every eHcroschment, however
ingeniously planned or powerfully
supported. To this demand the Con-
siituiional Convention viii doubtless
respond, and, for myself, / may be
permitted to say no legislation i'm
pairing the security Of this fund or
changing It's character shall receive
nv sanction as your Executive.


Ia view ofthe prospect that the Leg
is,a;ure VIII, after this session, be d.
vested Of It's power TO legislate for
special objects. a popular apprehen-
sionis prevailing that interested par
ties viii push their schemes at this
'juncture, and make extraordinary
efforts 10 control legislation 1
deem it nv duty &c impress upon the
Legislature the necessity of examin-
ing with more than ordinary care
every measure submitted for their
consideration.


THE BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES


Too much credit cannot be accord
ed 10 the honorable and humane gen.
tlemen who constitute the Board Of
Public Charities for their Taluable
services. gratuiiously bestowed, in
supervising the manifold and impor-i
tant public trusts the State has con-
fded TO their care take great plea
sure in inviting the attention Of the
Legislature to the suggestion and
work Of this excellent Board, and
shall unite in any plan that VIII help
these gentlemen 10 accomplish their
beneheent designs.


IN CONCLUSION.



We have great cause for thankful
ness, nv fe,low-citizens, when we
contemplate the bsppy snd prosper
Gus condition Of cur country. Re
cuperaiins rapidly from the rasage
and waste of our great civil war, she
is moving forward to a new era of
progress and development; and in
This march 10 q higher destiny. in
which all the States are united, Penn
syla ania should have place in the
vsn-a position TO which she is en-
titled by the intelligence aud eharac-
ter Of her citizens, the magnitude of
ber resources, the extent of ber in
dussrial interests and the grand record |
of her patriotism To maintain this
position for our proud old Common
wealth viii be the constant endeavor
of your Executive: and to strengthen /
his arm and enlarge bis understand /
ing be asks the support and counsel
Of all good citizens aud humbly i'm
pIores the aid and guidance of Him (
who IS the Supreme Ruler /


Every conceivable place was occu-
pied by anxious spectators during
the entire ceremony Speaker Ander-
sons family. with that of Governor
Hartranft,s, occupied one of the Sen
ate windows. The Governors father
ves on, the stand The .fs.rua of rsin +