Year: 1870

tuition, should be fearlessly exercised, Is
ject to be considered vitally important? Is
it not urgent that you should determine it
for yourselves, in the selection of men to
represent you in the Legislature of 1871?


By this as it may, this question is in fact
submitted for your judgment. The issue
upon it was distinctly and openly made at
the last session between the Legislature and
the Executive, and that issue is now before
you for arbitrsment, and you should instruct
your representative, in each and every coun-
ty, in accordance with your wishes and de-
termination upon this important subject.


Should you, by your Indifference TO the
question, or by careless and uncaculating
choice OF the persons to represent you IN
the Legislature, encourage and strengthen
the combination of men who desire and
threaten to invade your treasury, rest as
sured that the vast sum now sacredly devo-
ted to the payment of the public debt will
be seized aud carried Off


The nine and a half millions of dollars of
securities In that fund, with all the interest
to accrue thereon, will be voted away from
the peoples Treasury the State credit will
be prostrateG /; your taxes will be increased,
and your Executive will be impotent to help
you. Ii, on the contrary, alive to your in
terests and honor, You sustain the appeal
sent to you from the Executive Chamber,
and you are now about to select your tandi-
dates for Representatives, you should de-
termine to reaffirm, with emphasis, the
command of the Constitution, that mo part
Of the said Sinking Fund shall be used or
applied otherwise than in the extinguish-
ment Of the public debt, you will strike a
just, severe aud timely blow at corrupt leg
islation and protect yourselves against griev-
Gus pecuniary loss.


The lesson will not be lost It's salutary
effect will be great and lasting. Both for
the present and the future will it improve
the tone of public morals, repress the un-
blushing effrontery and corruption of the
lobby curtail the influence of arrogant cor
porations; and secure the sincere commen-
dation of all good and patriotic men.


The assault upon the treasury in the pas
sage of the nine and half million bill, tho
the most conspicuous example of the evil
influences of corporations upon the legisla
ture, is not the only one. 1t possesses pre-
eminent importance, but it does not stand
alone Then, fellow citizens, has not the
the time come for determining the question
of title to sovereign power in this Common
wealth Is that power rightful and inde-
feasible estate of the people, or does it reside
in the Incorporated companies created by
our laws? VIII you, with your eyes open,
consciously surrender the control oyer your
| own representatives, and give your consent
that corporations shall decide your laws
Shall your government. be pure, patriotic
| and Just, true to yourselves and true to
sound principles of administration or shall
it be the instrument of corporate ambition
and avarice, and an object of public jest,
ridicule and reproach? Or, in other words,
shall corporations supercede the Govern
ment and become masters of the people?


And now, my fsllon citizens, with this
warning, | leave this important subject in
your hands, trusting that you will be in
spired with the will and the resolution tc
defend the integrity of your Government
and to preserve unsullied the credit and the
honor Of the Commonwealth.


JOHN W. GEARY.


E.cecufiUe Chamber,


Harrisburg, Pa,