The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-12-05
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. \
4 The new Constitution Of New York. has
been adopted by majority Of 1873, sol 70
'ersl 10 Us in Pennsylvania, who recoI.
Iec' with what difficulty our amended con,
s,itulion of 1888 was carried, this result il
New York is matter Of astOnishment
Putting Oul Of view tIe provision in it
fot the election Of The judiciary, the new
New York constitution, is the most per(eo,
instrument for government, ever famed. 1t
has lis defects, but they are scarcely worth
enumeraling, amid sbonnding exrellenres
This ls strong language, we know, but ii is
'n'IreIy justified by the subject
The main merit Of Ihis instrument con,
'lsis, not in that which it directs and eninns
but in that which il prohibits and prevents
We admire not so much lis grants Of p0w-
er, as the extent and character of the re.
slrain's il imposes. Its pecuIat wisdom is
exhibited, not in giving, bnI in withheld,
ing.
We will select a few illustrations.
1.-The Legislature is restrained By il
from creating state deb, over 81 900 OOO
except by vote at tWO sessions. and By
the approval Of The voters Of The state; 8nd
even then, provision mus, he made, a, the
time, for its paymenl. mot IN force in
case Of war &c)
2.-TUe Legislature is restrained from
passing special acts to create banks or other
corporations, (excepl municipIe Such
laws aust be general.
mo bill can pass but BY a mpiorily
Of all The members elected to each branch
of Ihe Legislature, and Ihe yeas and nays,
in every case, on last reading, mGsl be en-
tered OR the journal.
4.-No private or local bill is TO embrace
more than one subject, and that shall BE-
expressed in the llle.
5.-rhe Legislature shall not sell or
lease the public works.
None Of the foregoing provisions are in
the constitution of Pennsylvania. ne sin
cerely wish they were, II such a provs-
ion as the one first mentioned above had|
been in our Pennsylvania constitution, WI
would not have been soddleG with our dO..
600 600 debt, and subjected to the taxes
and notifications which that debt produ-
ces.
The other provisions we have quoted, III
they had been in our Pennsylvania consti,
tuition, would have kept our legislation pure
prevented og-rollng; the food Of private
acs and special corporation bills with which
we have been cursed; and we should have
heard nothing Of that most unwise and ru.
nous PrGject-.Ihe sale OF the Pubic
Works.
A fruitful source Of evil with u', MS states
and as an Union, is Erce8sive Legislation
land this both in subject and extent. OueI
Nf the main and appropriate functions Of .
constitution is, 10 restrain egls.
allon-to erect barriers against tie rush of
lis ever restless and inovarng tide! AnGI
as new dangers to popular rights aud pubic"
welfare arise, i! is Ihs duty Of a peopltl
Jealous Of their rights and walrhfuI Of then
10 alter their constitution SO as IT,
meet the threatened evil, or if i, has already
smilen lhem, to prevenlis recurrence.
In a number Of imporlanl points, the ppo
pie Of The State Of New York have, in their
new constitution, come up TO the require
mems Of ibis policy. They have done this
oo, By vote, in dicaing no squeamsh-
ness or imdiIy. Uilh practical know.
EDGE Of the defects Of Ihe old, they have
chosen for themselves a new fundamental
aw, adapted 10 their situation and TO their
wants. Experience hes taught them to
1FOVi6p Anb lhpY have dnna en- anime, ,La