Year: 1873




its propriety or necessity, as the views CT
men are conservative or progressive
There is now, however, in session in
Philadelphia convention of respectable
and honorable gentlemen, fresh from the
people, and authorized by them TO revise
the Constitution. To these gentlemen
we confidently refer these questions of
constitutional reform, in the belief that
out of their combined integrity and wis
dom will spring such measures as will
best conduce to our safety, Happiness and
prosperity.


| SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
! There is one paramount and growing
evil, however, to which, by my cath as
your Executive and my sens Of daty as
citizen, am constrained to ask your
serious attention. l a!lade to apeca!
Legislation or the abuse of legislative
power, to further particular local and
private ends 20 the exclusion Of public
business. l cannot condemn this evil in
language too strong and it seems but the
part of common sense thas some positive
restriction be put upon legislation that
will conine it to public objects and make
its enactmen;s uniform and general.
PAgD0yiyG POWER.


There is another subject to which l
may be permitted to advert, because it
concerns one Of my most important func-
tons. l refer to the pardoning power.
The exercise of this power rests ezclu-
sively within the direction and conscience
Of the Executive and when we consider
the opportunities of Tie friends OF a cen
demued man, and their natural inclina-
;ion to use every influence to obtain a
pardon, it must be conceded that this
power is trying and dangerous one with
wich to invest any individual. Any
provision that would relieve the con-
science aud divide the responsibility of
the exercise Of this power must surely
commend itself to good the sense of our
people.


SINKING FUND.


There is a popular demand too, that
the sinking fund, containing bonds that
represent the proceeds of the sale of the
public works, and which are applicable
alone to the payment of the public debt,
shall be kept sacred for the purpose 10
which it is dedicated, and that the safe
guards of this fund shall be made so
streng as to protect it from every en-
croachment, however ingeniously plann-
ed Or powerfully supported. To this
demand the Constitutional Convention
will doubtless respond and for myself |
may be permitted to say that no legisla-
ton impauing the security of this fund,
or changing its character, ever can re-
ceive my sanction.


In view of the prospect that the Leg-
isi.aassare will, after this session, be dives
led of its power to legislate for special
objects, popular apprehension is pre-
yailing that interested parties viii push
their schemes at this juncture, and make
exit aordinery efforts to control legisla.
ton. l deem it my duty to impress upon
the Legislature the necessity of examin-
ing with more than ordinary care every
measure submitted for their considera-
ton.


BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES.


Too much praise cannot be accorded
to the honorable and humane gentlemen
who constitute the Board of Public Char
tiles for their valuable services, gratuit
ously bestowed, in supervising the mani
fold and important public trusts the State
has con6ded to their care. | take great
pleasure in inviting the attention of the
Legislature to the suggestions and work
of this excellent board, and shall uate iu
any plan that will help these gentlemen
to accomplish their benefcent designs.


We have great cause for thankfulness,
my fellow citizen, when we contemplate
the happy and prosperous condition OF
our country. Recuperating rapidly from
the ravages and waste of our great civil
war, is moving forward to new era of
grogress and development. And in this
march to a higher destiny in which all
the States are united, Pennsy lvania
should have place in the van, posi-
ton to which she is entitled by the in-
telligence and character Of her citizens,
the magnitude of her resources, the ex-
tent of her industrial interests, and the
grand record of her patriotism. To
maintain this position for cur proud old
Commonwealth will be the constant en-
deavor Of your Executive and to strength
en- his arm and enlarge his understanding
he asks the support and counsel of all
good citizens. and humbly implores the
aid and guidance of Him who is the Su
preme Ruler.


Foote and Garrick being in fruit !
chop in Covent Garden, the latter receiv-
ed bad shilling in exchange, "This
shilling is not worth farthing,' exclaim-
ed Rnscins. "Here. take ii fellow. and |