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

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greatly misied. To curb The Legislature ef.
lfectually, we must amend the Constitution
Thus only can we establish solid barriers
against abuse.
The Legislature should have the full con-
idence and respect of the people; apd The
reasons why the fact 10 not go, anil why
constitutional restraints upon 1t are heman-
dad, deserve 10 be clearly stated Some
plain words will be necessary for this pur-
pose, and they shall be spoken
1t is clear TO every attentive observer, that
our Legislature is composed Of dsfec,ive ma
ieriais, aud is subject TO strong sinister infiu-
css. In the fifsi place. the Snembess lack
experience Over ihres.iourths of the MEM
bers Of the House of Represeniatlves.at this
session are new men. Six.y.seven we're
new men at the last session. OF the thirty.
two Senators met here at my first session
in 1851, the Senator from the City on my
left (Mr. crabb,) alone remains. All others
have passed from the scene, and have been
replaced, with the exception Of the Senator
from Allegheny, (Mf Darsie.) by men
s'fresh from the ranks Of the people," In
both branches rotation is the rule, contnu-
ance the exception. Rules are justified BY
the objects of their institution, ard are valu-
able only SO far as they secure useful results.
Rotation is the means TO secure certain ends:
to prevent the continuance in official life of
dish honest or incapable men; 10 curb the
pride of position, and TO infuse into The pub.
lie councils the elements of poraIaF opinion.
But the rigid enforcement of the rule in all
cases, besets evils ip another direction -
Frequent change fills ihe two Houses with
inferior OF inexperienced men, who, in turn,
are ostracised about the time they become
qualified TO serve the public with advantage
A legitimate and just ambition in public men
is dscounte nanced, if not denied. A MEM
ber of the Pennsylvania Legislature regards
himself as temporary agent, whose duties
are comprised in getting some local legisla-
tor ior his district, and casing an OCCASION
al vote for his party. He feels that no exhi-
bition of ability, integrity and industry, will
insure his continuance-that he is man of
the moment, or if he have future, il is 10
be sought in another direction. Men of
mettle and parts even, are brought 10 regard
a seat In the Legislature as but a stepping
stone to olher positions more profitable,
honorable or permanent. Besides, in conse-
quence of these rapid changes in official
life, IL edaiss 70 pass that sueszs ts9as as
| political education, in its true sense, Is al
most unknown amongst us. Whe qualities
himself by study, labor and reflection, for
public business? Those men who are cleo
ted 10 your Legislature at the heels of
scrah6bling delegate elections, OF occasional
volunteers, successful through impassioned
unions of temporary factions, and elected the
moment their capacities have somewhat ri.
pened by experience, are not often men
who have qualified themselves beforehand
for the duties they are 10 discharge. The
discourse of Socrates with the young Athe.
nian, who sought public position without
due qualifications, recurs constantly TO the
| recollection of the scholar incocsiderng our
public affairs.
Sir, it is strange that our State makes so
small figure, in view of this system of
change, which dwarfs her public men? BY
rotation run mad, The character Of our legis-
Iation is deeply and injuriously afseted; our
State administrations are enfeebied and rem.
dered unsatisfactory and our position in
| national councils made Insignificant, If not
contemptibls. Even into the management
of our public works this system of change
has entered with The most deleterious results.
1t has largely assisted in training up, all over
the State, scattered host of hunters for Of
fee, poisoning our politics and corrupling
the public morals. Every one is impeled
to make all he can during the brief period
allotted him. His time is Short aud some
hungry applicant impatiently awaits his re-
tifement Has he shown capacity, honesty,
independence No matter, the golden rule
of rotation is an answer to the plea of his
merits and services, and the justification for
inducting an incompetent aud greedy sue
cessor.
But we have to do al preasent with the
Legislative department of the government
alone--with the effects produced by rotation
of membership upon lie action. !. is cer-
tain, that from some cause our legislation has
been extremely defective aud Objectionable.
For instance, what fearfuliy tangled, ucon.
sistent, and pernicious mass of corporate
Legislation has been inflicted upon the peo-
pie of the Commonwealth, within the last
twenty yearss Our Legislature has been
styled. "a corporation manufactory," and It's
productions have borne the marks of haste,
of Ignorance, Of craft, oil injustice, and Of ra-
paci:y. Our system Of corporate Legislation
IF system /, can be called--is among the
mos. imperfect and injurious Of all The known
productions oil free government. We have
crealed corporations TO manufacture cloth,
iron and lumber; to quarry stone; 10 vend
hay and straw to build houses and pur-
chase and dispose of lands; 10 nine coal and
copper and lead; to make paper money and
discount notes, to insure property and lives;
to raise poultry and 10 catch horse thieves T!
These are samples of acts, requiring vol.
ume for their enumeration. Corporations
may become stockholders in each other,
couuties townshins and boroughs. are in.