The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-13
rnu xzgow NoxHxzsex.
Reported Revelations of the. Councils
Of Pennsylvania.

amendments 10 .<heir ConstItutSoa - n~cs
ssons OF the sIate Council on MOoted Ques-
P1etsburg, &c., DO.
COPIED IRON THER OWN OFFICIAL RECORDS.
Our readers win find below a full history of all the
recent dehberations OF the State Council of the Order Of
Know Nothings in this State, it being an exact copy of
Ih8 synopsis sent to the various subordinate lodges for
their information and guidance.
that Of the abolition Of the Canal Board and disbanding
OF the volunteer corps containing citizens of foreign
Ih;;a In = osaS Hu IN a n : hv tPPs tranh,,ys slaves
1t has sent to the Legislature.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION,
.~submitted to tie State Connci! at the Session Of
HELD IN THE CITY OF piTTsBURG,
DIRECTED TO BE DISPOSED OF AS FOLLOWS:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the 5. G. be directed
to have provided all proposed amendments to the consti-
tuition, and forward them to the various Subordinate
Councils, and that the Subordinate Councils be directed
10 instruct their delegates how to vote upon them at the
HiLADELpHIA-lS55
Proposed Amendments to te Constitution.
strihs out all after article IL, and insert the following
ARTICLE III
Sec. 1. The State Council shall be composed of the
same number Of delegates as there are members OF the
delegates to be elected from the same localities as the
members of the Legislature are now, and 10 the manner
hereafter provided. Provided, That each county in the
State shall be entitled TO at least one delegate.
Sec. 2. All delegates to the state Councils, and all
Senatorial, Congressional and State candidates shall be
determined BY the popular vote of the respective dis.
t,sts' and IL the ssI person ,h having ving,s sas highest tS : or nSm0er Of
Sec. 8. There shall be in each and every county a
County Council y which shall have the general super
vision Of the affairs of the Order in their respective
counties, which shall be composed Of three delegates
from each subordinate Council, who shall be elected for
The term of one year. And the Presidents OF said Coun-
IL Councils shall receive and distribute all communica.
lions and documents intended for the Subordinate Coun-
eils, institute or cause TO be instituted all new councils
within their jurisdiction, collect and remit all dues and
fees to the Secretary of the State Council, and call meet
ings Of County Councils when a majority Of the dele
gates thereto require IL. The County Councils shall also
have power TO determine all difference or disputes arts
ing IN their respective Jurisdictions, subject, however,
TO an appeal TO the State Council.
Sec. j. The County Councils shall have pc yer under
ard subject to the constitution and rules Of the State
Council, to fix the time for holding all elections for Ma
ticDal, State, District, and county offices, and delegates
to the State Council.
Sec. 5.-The delegates to County Councils shall be
the return Judges for their respective councils, and all
returns for national, State, district or county officers
and delegates TO the State council, shall be made to the
county councils, and the Presi lent OF said County Coun-
ell shall make return for the national and State officers
apo delegates to the State Council.
sentative. judicial OF aeleg ate district hall BE- composed
Of two or more counties, it shall be the duty ofthe Coun-
ty Councils 10 appoint conferees, 10 meet at some con-
venient place 10 ascertain the number OF votes given in
said districts for the several candidates., and report the
same to their respective councils.
Sec. THAT no person be voted for by members OF the
organization for any Office, unless the candidates shall
present to the body having jurisdiction a certificate OF
membership from the council OF which he is a member,
signed by the officers OF said council, and also by the can
didate soliciting their votes.
ARTICLE w.
Sec. 1. The State Council shall, in all cases, be the
nudge Of the qualifications of its own members. IL shall
also have power 70 enact its own laws; to try all appeals
from the de cisions of Subordinate Councils or their Off.
Gers; to establish such constitution, laws, rules and re-
g~ulations, and 10 do such other acts as it may deem to
be essential TO the welfare of the order, and the unlior-
nifty OF the council under ii jurisdiction, provided al
ways that in making laws for the punishment OF of
fences, it shall make ~pcfeapostt acto law, and that its var
nous enactments shall conform to The constitution of the
National Council OF the United States.
Sec. 2 The officers Of the State Council shall consist OF
aP., V. p, j., s., T., M, and an ] and O. S.
See 8. The Off :ers OF the Subordinate Councils shall
bea p, v. p, j., $, T., NJ, and an and Q. s.
Sec. 4. The duty Of the several officers created by the
constitution shall be such as the work Of this organiza-
Sec. s. The officers of the State Council shall be elected
ut its stated meeting in September Of each and every
Sec. Q. The regular sessions OF this Council shall be
held on the first Tuesday OF March add September, at 10
o'clock A. NJ. Special meetings shal be called by the
President, on the written request of ten delegates repre-
senting two different delegate districts.
Sec. 7. In case Of a vacancy occurring in the state
Council, by death or resignation, a new election shan
be held 70 supply such vacancy, provided The susold,,
election from the proper body. No substitute shall be
admitted.
Sec. 1. All officers provided. by this constitution Except
the S's) shall be elected by ballot The presiding officer
may appoint 5 . from time to time provided, howeyer,
that no one shall be appointed for a longer term than
that Of the presiding officer elect.
Sec. 2. A majority of the votes cast shall be requisite
~ al ILit W Az ouNt IN tt ~ PNbaS' $500 80
snicers and delegates must be full degree members.
Sec. 8. All omc .rs Of the sueortin tie Council, as well
Councils, shah be chosen by ballot annually, by The
members present, at the FIRST regular meeting In August,
and the officers shall be elected as soon thereafter as
practicable.
Sec. i. The name OF the person offered for member
sbip must be proposed in open Council, Recorded and
referred 10 a committee of three members, always ex-
cepting the ~propo.er) for investigation, VINO may report
forthwith il ~expedicnt, when the Council shall proceed
TO ballot or vote; and if Ave black balls or votes appear
against him, he shall be rejected IL otherwise he shall
DC declared duly elected, but shall not be initiated until
the next meeting after his election as n member; pro
vided the Subordinate Council in the codnty, may elect
and initiate, on the same evening, persons within their
Jurisdiction, residing three miles distant from their
place Of meeting.
Sec. 2. A brother, to obtain the second degree Of this
Order, must have been proved worthy, and been a arst
degree member three weeks, and have applied for it in
open couptil one week prios TO taking II; all applications
must be referred 10 a committee OF three members OF the
second degree, who shall report thereon at the next
meeting, and thereupon the second degree council shall
proceed to ballot or vote, and II three black balls or
votes appear against the applicant, he shall be rejected;
II otherwise, he shall be declared duly elected. All bro
theirs upon taking the second or third degrees shall pay
such fees a. may be determined upon by the Subordinate
A per cd Of three months shall elapse between the Ia.
hipe OF the second ano third degrees.
SEC. 3. Any person who may have been rejected, may,
after the expiration Of three months, be again proposed
for membership.
Sec. l. Each Subordinate Council shall be required to
nake TO the Secretary of the state Counsel, ON or before
TIE nrtt DAY OF the montns OF harch anu SeptemoeIi =
return Of the number OF its members; also, the number
Of members initiated in the previous term. Also, the re-
jections Of candidates for admission.
Sec. 2 Subordinate Councils shall make their own by
laws, which shall be subject 10 the approval Of the
County Councils.
Sec. 8. All applications for warrants of dispensation to
form new councils must be made in writing, and signed
by all applicants; not to be less than nine in number;
the same TO be presented TO the President OF the County
Councils, and by him transmitted TO the officers Of the
State Council.
Sec. 4. The jurisdiction Of a council shall only extend
10 the fOyuelip. CT ward in which IL is sitaatpd. and
hereafter no council shall be instituted in any ward or
township In which a council now exists, and the Presi-
dent OF any council initiating persons residing without
The jurisdiction Of the same, shall be expelled by the
County Council on proof thereof.
ARTICLE YIN.
Sec. ]. Any member knowingly violating any portion
Of bus obigAtIon Of this Constitution. shall be expelled.