Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-03-09
...s REMARKS OF
MIR. j. b. PACKER,
OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

| PFoUtoHg yo1 Hc eRcHoh oJ JudgeS Oy IN!
people delivered in the House of Represen
tatires, February Is, 1850.
Mn. SPEAKER: had long since ceased tc
look upon the adoption Of this amendment tc
the Constitution, as question upon which
there could be any doubt, and had supposed
that it would have met with but little, if in
deed any, serious opposition, in its passage
through this House.
But, sir, regarding the change proposed in
the fundamental law Of the State as one OF
he most vital importance 10 The interests, the
happiness, The prosperity, and, sir, it may
even be, us gentlemen predict, 10 the liberties
| OF the people, cannot regret that the opposi-
ton has been made in The high-,oned and
honorable spirit which uniformly governs the
gentlemen from whom it emenates and their
able aud eloquent remarks could not have
failed TO have entertained and instructed all
who were fortunate enough to hear them, if
they did not succeed in convincing maiori-
ty OF the members of this House, of the cor
rectness Of the positions they assumed
Although am, Mr. Speaker, warmly at
tached to the principle oran elective judicial
ary, yet, if il can be shown that the proposed
amendment is radically defective in form or
substance, no one could be more willing than
myself TO adopt any measures that may be
necessary for the correction Of its imperfec-
lions.
What then, sir, are the objections urged
against the form OF the amendment as origi-
rally proposed, and which it is the object OF
the amendment offered by The gentleman
from Northampton, (Mr. Porer,) 10 remove
The first and principal objection believe
is, that the bill goes too deeply into the minu-
ila OF the subject for a constitutional enact
ment and embraces provisions which should
be left for Legislative action.
am sorry to differ so entirely with my
learned aud esteemed friend from Nonhamp-
ton, regret deepened not little, by the
fact that his views npon this subject have
been endorsed by several other gentlemen
upon this floor, for whose opinion. entertain
very high respect; but, sir, it is this very
particularly, this very minutencss of detail
complained Of, which most commend il to
my appreciation, and will secure for it my
vote.
The action Of this Legislature will not, sir,
be final and conclusive upon the adoption of
this amendment. We are but preparing it
| to pass more scruiinizing ordeal, 10 stand
the test Of a tribunal infinitely higher than
| lhis-one 10 which all must bow, and one
which is now, and trust in God may ever
be, with us, OMNIPoTENT
Is this amendment then in a proper shape
for the action OF the popular will la
Our people, sir, are watchful of their inter-
ests, and guard their rights with that untiring
unceasing vigilance, which experience has
taught them to regard as the price Of liberty.
They take no step, sir, in so important pro-
ect as the alteration of their organic law
the change of any of the provisions Of the
Constitution which they have always been
accustomed 10 cherish and revere, without
first examining the proposed change in all its
bearings and all its details.
They want TO see, and 10 see clearly, too,
all the terms of the amendment-how it is to
be carried out and what are 10 be its effects.
| This they can do from the amendment as
originally proposed. 1t forms in itself a
complete system, designating the manner OF
the election the time when, and the place
where il shall he held the term of office,
and all other provisions necessary for carry.
ing il into complete and successful operation
It's terms are plain and simple, easily un.
dersiood, sir, and not capable of miscons,ruc.
ton. ''He that runs may read, and reading
cannot fail 10 understand precisely the ques
tion presented.
Every man in the Commonwealth may
comprehend its provisions, and when he goet
to the polls TO vote upon its final adoption o.
rejection, he will know exactly what i, is he
is voting for, or what it is he is voting against
But how different, sir, would be the cast
if the amendment of the gentleman from
Northampton should prevail? 1t provide
that the Judges shall be elected by The peo
pie in such manner as shall be directed by lau, )
leaving it 10 the legislature TO regulate tn,
manner of the election, aud arrange the de
tails Of the system.
What fruitful source Of doubt and nncer
tainiyi Who, sir, let me ask, would be Dol,
enough 10 even conjecture what mode an,
manner the Legislature wc,.ld adopt ? VIII
could tell how soon the plan decided upo
by the first Legislature, wonld be demolishe
by succeeding one; or when the sruc,ur
erected by it, upon The ruins of the forme
system, would in its turn be sci aside 10 max
room for favorite scheme of another Legi:
laturef
"-Dark mystery sir,
Doth hang round nothing pure,
Save God alone"
Adopt the amendment, 10 the amendmen
and the whole question will be involved i
, doubt and mystery; no one could vote unde
standingly upon :he adoption of the amend
ment at the polls; and amid the perplexitie
with which the subject would be surrounde,