The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-03-22

4 to be exercised 10 seduce them into cdree
Of profligacy or folly. Without cousti,u
,ional check the system win go on until mu
nicipal credit is crushed, and local burthen
enough are heaped up to awaken the gener
al indignation oil The people. But indigna a
ion will then be too late to avert the evil
of the system those who have prosperei
upon the outlays incurred, will hold thei
gains secure, and all obligations for subscrip
tions, loans, Interest and guarantees Of stock
will remain in full force, despite regrets, re
proaches and repentance.
But this system is 10 be entered upon By
municipalities, under peculiar Disadvantages
| arising from their Organization Intended
simply, as lnsirumentaIilies for local govern
menl and regulation, their structure does no
qualify them for conducting commercial on
terprises, either alone or m conjunction with
business corporations. ....s
A county acts through iis commissioners
Under this system they make subscriptions,
execute bonds, negotiate loans, lay taxes,
and WELD the electoral vote allowed the
county in the management of the cotpota-
ton to which a subscription is made. In
fact, these extensive powers may be exer.
cised by two commissioners, the act OF a
majority being as valid as the act Of ALL
And upon their action there Is ordinarily, no
check against an nRwise or profiga.e use
of their powers, no remedy. The previous
assent of grand JURY, or OF the people by
public vote, 10 subscription, is an insuf-
ficent check, and besides does not apply 10
any act of the commissioners after the sub
scription Is made. And who are the persons
TO whom these extensive powers ars con.
fined? Too often, it must be conceded, they
are men without qualifications for the deli.
cafe and important duties which this system
casts upon them. Selected as candidates in
the midst of the inlrigues, or in the haste Of
party convention, and elected as part of q
partisan ticket, their fitness for judging large
and involved pecuniary questions, is not OF
the fret order. Besides they are, 10 great
extent, Irresponsible. They are men vino
expect no further promotion, and 10 whom.
therefore. the good opinion Of the public is
moi paramount, controlling consideration.
And how easy is il for q corporation seeking
a subscription 10 enlist strong influences in
its favor 10 manufacture an apparent pub
lie opinion and bear down the scruples or
oppo osi;ioD OF refractory commissioner.
But it is not my present purpose TO go over
.hs arguments against municipal subscfip-
iions, as they have been heretofore stated in
the legislature and elsewhere. have dis
charged that duty upon other occasions, and
from The exam inatioE the subject has under
gone during the last three years, it has be-
come familiar tc the public. dismiss this
branch OF the debate, therefore, with the re.
mark that the reasons before mentioned
which vindicate constitutional limitation
against State debt, apply with equal force
10 the proposed Limitation against municipal
subscriptions.
There are those who oppose all amend.
menls Of the Constitution, upon the ground
that they weaken the respect and veneraton
of The people for that instrument | agree
thai The Constitution-,he fundamental law
ought not 10 be changed "ior light or tram
sieni canses." Change should be preceded
by deep conviction of It's necessity. But a
stupid, unreasoning fear OF change-some-
times dgnifed by the name of conservatism
lis the influence ordinarily 10 be oombatted
and repressed; and in The course of our ex.
perience, in the exigencies of our future
career, doubt not that constitutional chan
ges will occasionally be found necessary 10
the. security of our system of government
against abuse aud dangers. The case may
be different with The Constitution of the U.
S. II is the doctrine of the courts and Of
statesmen, that while The general govern
ment possesses only legislative powers as
are expressly granted, the Stale government
possesses all such as are not expressly with
held-in othet words, tha. the constitution
ality of an act OF Congress is question oil
the grant, and the constilutiohallty Of the
act of State Legislature, is question of the
Limitation Of power. Under this rule Of
construction, ii is evident that in unforeseen
cases for which no provision lie made, and
where limitations are found necessary, the
Consultation of the State will require amend.
meut and that of the Union will not. There
can be little danger in view Of this, and of
the difficulties in the way OF amendment in
terposed by the Constitution itself, that our
State Constitution will be too frequently
amended.
MIR. Speaker, have now concluded what
| purposed saying upon this resolution.
hope il may pass. believe ii to be wise
and salutary measure, and one that will meet
the general concurrence of the people. Al
all events, it is proper we should send il to
them for their decision at the fall election,
pursuant TO the 10th article Of the constitu-
ton.
In answer TO the numerous inquifies, We
would state that the laie act of Congress, the