Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-04-05
REMARKS OF
a. K. CORN YIN, ESQ.
OF HUNTINGDON COUNTY,
O" The Bill to Elect the Judges, delivered Februar
9th and Sth 1850

Cs oHL ~ Etect LHe JungeS, detIreTeQ fe0TNdTu
9Th and 6th 1850.
Mr.. SPEAKER: would gladly avoid enter
| ing upon the discussion of this question, at the
present time. If | could at all reconcile it with
my convictions of duty-not merely duty to
I my constituents and the Commonwealth, but
an Imperative duty owe to myself
| take II for granted that the present Consti-
tuition, as far as regards the Judiciary, is a.
doomed instrument, and have not the vanity
to suppose that any thing | may say, on this
occasion, will avert It's fate. But deem it
my duty entertaining the deliberate conyic-
tons ! do, to state fairly, fully and distinctly,
the ground occupy on this subject.
| utterly deny the statement of the gentle
man from Philadelphia Mr.. BURDEN) that those
who oppose this resolution distrust the people :;
and also deny that any amendment to the ori-
glnal resolution, at this time, is any evidence
OF want of confidence in the people. Sir,
have as much confidence in the people as any
man can have every act in the history Of the
American people from the landing of the Pill
grIms down to the present time has satisfied
the world that man is capable of selfgoyern-
ment; but | will undertake to demonstrate
that the issue attempted to be made by the gen.
tleman from the city is as false, as it is unjust
l solicit the patient attention of the House
first to what have to say in regard 10 the res
olution itself; and secondly to my objections
to the principle of an elective judiciary.
may remark here and with great truth too,
that the Legislature of Pennsylvania has never
been engaged in the discussion of question
OF SO sober, SO grave and important a nature,
and one too in which the people of the Com
nonweath are so deeply and so vitality inter-
eSted. And is 1t not important to consider
well what we are about TO do We are not
tinksrng and tampering with the extremities,
but We are about to attack life's last citadel
the heart
The Judicial branch of this Government is
by far the most important of all It's parts. The
Legislature and Executive are important in
themselves, but compared with the Judiciary
they dwindle into insignicance. The former
nigh: fall in ruins around US; but if the latter
survive the general destruction, the rights and
interests of the people would still be secure.
And how, Sir, and under what circumstances
are we approaching this subject! And now
in order to show how the resolution was
passed and what little care and deliberation
were exhibited on the occasion, must refer
TO the Session of lS49. You will remember,
Mr.. Speaker-for you were here at the time
that II was brought into the House from the
at a time when the widest and most uncoy.
ernable excitement pervaded 1t, and was
rushed rapidly through, without q moments
time for reflection or examination | well
remember that | stood OH the floor where the
gentleman from Adams now sits, desirous TO
have an opportunity of seeing what it was, OF
offering some amendment, of bringing its de-
fects and absurdities before the House, but my
mouth was closed by an imperious call for the
previous question. all discussion cut of, ali de-
liberation and ell amendment; and thus this
most important resolution, without being dis.
cussed or examined, passed through the House
Ii is now before US, and gentlemen are aDx-
iously pressing It's passage and opposing any
amendment. Let IL not be said that gentle
men who oppose the passage of this resolution
are opposed to the people, on the other hand
1t Is because / have confidence in the people
IN their integrity and discrimination, and be-
cause | feel deep interest in their welfare
and prosperity that / take the course have
indicated. The people are not to be carried
away by humbng they are not to be de-
celved by false issues; they are not to be
readily blinded when their own interests are
at stake. | know we'll the risk run and the
imminent peril ] encounter in subjecting N.Y.
sell TO mlsapprehenslon from the honest, and
designed mlsinterpretation from the dema-
gogue-bat none OF these things can move me,
or drive me from the discharge of my duty.
Here, then, is tins resolution with all its de-
iects and lis lncongruities, passed in hot and
indecent haste at the last session, although
days and weeks were consumed in the dis
cussIon and consideration OF contemplate d.
vorce cases; but when it came to the great
questionable question affecting the organic
Cf Ian gh.,, \,
in the Commonwealth is interested /; |
then there was no time for deliberation, no !
time for investigation. This resolution then
passed under those extraordinary circumstan-
ces, is again before Us, and gentlemen tell US |
we must pass it without amendment because I
the people desire il. Sir, | ask where is the |
evidence of the peoples desire on this subject! |
where have they spoken ! where are the peti- |
tlons asking it -! 1t has been said that the con.
ventions. Wing and Democratic, passed reso-
Iutions recommending it: but take it, passing |
said resolutions was no part of their duty /; |
their duty was 10 nominate a candidate for |
Canal Commlssloner-not TO inquire into or t
recommend reform in the Judiciary System |
There has never been petition presented TO |
this House; the people have not come up here |
and demanded 1t ; they have not exercised the |
oniy constitutional means they possess of maxi !
ing known their wishes 10 the Legislature
what then is the pressing necessity for its has
y passage! Are the rights of the people in
his country not amply and broadly secured al
-eady are not the Courts of Justice open to
lll-the rich and the poor alikc' There is no
allegation that the present Judiciary is either
weak or corrupt; no complaints have come up
lere on that score; then, ! submit, if the
present Judiciary is what it ought to be; if it
las secured and protected every interest. pub
ic and private, as believe it has; if the State
$ going on prosperously; why shall this House
AXE leap in the dark, that may lead u.s. God
n his infinite wisdom only knows where
Now, Mr.. Speaker, it seems TO me that the
mendment of the gentleman from Northamp-
on (MR. PoRTER) is obviously proper; which
:. to submit the broad and naked proposition.
will the people elect the Judges! curtalled of |
ts absurdities and shorn of ito incopr;st.r.;o,