Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-30
p RESOLUTION, PROPOSING AMEND
~ MENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE COMMON EAITIE

OF THE COMMONW EALTH.
fesokcea, on the Senate ollf RoseSe o. Re,,rese1,-
tztiees Of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania IN
GeteTat Asseni5ly met That the following amend
ments are proposed to the Constitution of the Com
Inonwealth, n. in accordance with the provisions of
the tenth article thereof
FIRST AMENDMENT.
There shall be an additional article TO said con-
stItution TO be Designated article eleven as fol-
/ lows = ARTICLE NJ.
OF PUBLIC DEBTS.
| SEcrIoN /. The state may contract debts to sup
| ply casual deficits or failures in revenues or to
meet expenses not otherwise provided for but
the aggregate amount of such debts, direct and
contingent, whether contracted by virtue of or
more acts of the general assembly, or at different
periods OF time, shall never exceed seven hundred
ana nifty thousand dollars, and the money arising
from the creation of such debts shall be applied to
tue purpose for which it obtained or 10 repay
the debts so contracted, aud to other purpose
whatever.
SECTION .. In addition to the above limited
power the state may contract debts to repe inva-
slon suppress nsurrection defend the state in war
or to redeem the present outstanding Indebtedness
Oh The state but the money arising from the CON
tFaeting OF such debts shall be applied TO the pur-
pose Tor which 1T was raised. or to repay such
debts and to no other purpose whatever.
SECTION ,. Except the debts above specified. in
sections one and two of this article debt what
ever shall be created by, behalf of the state
SECTION 4. To provide for the payment of the
present debt, and any additional debt contracted
as aforesaid the legislature shall its first ses-
sion, after the adoption of this amendment, create
sinking fund. which shall be sufficient TO pay
the accruing interest such debt and annually
to reduce the principal thereof by sum not less
than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars
which sinking fund shall consist of the net annual
Income of the public works, from time to time
owned by the state, the proceeds of the sale of
the same. or any part thereof, and of the income
or proceeds of sale of stocks owned by the state,
together with other funds or resources that may
be designated by law. The said sinking fund may
DC increased. from time to time, by assigning to
1t any part of the taxes, other revenues of the
state, not required for the ordinary and current
expenses OF government and unless in case of
invasion or insurrecton. part of the said sink
ing fund shall be cd applied otherwise than
IN extnguishmont of the public debt, until the a
mount of such debt is reduced below the sum of
five millions OF dollars.
SECTION D The credit of the commonw ealth shall
not IN any NJ amer: event be pledged, or loaned
TO- any Insividusl, company. corporation,
Grafton; nor shall the commonwealth hereafter be-
come joint owner, or stockhoider, in any compa-
ny. association. or corporation.
SEcTioN'6. The commonwealth shall not assume
the debt, any part thereof. of any county, city,
borough, or township; or of any corporation. or
association; unless such debt shall have been con-
tractcd TO enable the state to repel Invasion. sup
press domestic insurrection defend itself in time
OF war, ar to assist the state in the discharge of
any portion of its present Indebtedness.
SECTION Z. The legislature shall not authorize
any count, City, borough, tssynship or incorpora-
ted district, by virtue of a vote of its citizens,
atherwise to hennma n s.aalkaldar ia Pc
ny: association, or corporation; to obtain money
o.
tlon; institution, or party.
SECOND AMENDMENT
There shall be an additional article TO said con-
sitution, to be designated article XII as follows
ARTICLE All.
OF NEW COUNTIES
No county shall be divided by line cutting off
over one-tenth of its population, either to form
new county or otherwise.) without the express
sent of such county, by vote of the electors there
OF; nor shall any new county be established,
tanning less than four hundred square miles.
THIRD AMEADMExT
From section two of the first article of the con-
sttution, strike out tho words of fte city Of PHI
lSdetphia a1td Of e,r county respecticei1;'' from
section five Same article. strike out the words, ''0
PhtldaetttG anil of the Sercrak counties - from
section seven, same article, strike out the words
''Rether tie ci,y Of Ihiladeiplt1G nor my and
insert in lieu thereof the words, 'Gnd no ;" and
strike ont section four. article and in lieu
thereof insert the following
SECTION 4. In the year one thousand eight hun
drcd and sixty four, and in every seventh year
thereafter representatives to the number of one
hundred: shall be apportioned and distributed
equally. throughout the state, by districts in pro-
portion to the number of taxable inhabitants in
the several parts thereof except that any county
containing at least three thousand five hundred
taxables, may be allowed separate representa-
ton; but no more than three counties shall be
joined, and county shall be divided, in the for
nation of district. Any city containing a suffi-
cient number of taXables to entite it TO at least
two representatives. shall have separate repre-
sentation assigned it. and shall be divided into
convenient districts of cont guous territory, of
equal taxable population rs near may be. each
OF which districts shall elect representative"
At the end of section seven. same article insert
these words 'Gte city Of Philadelphia shell be d.
staed into single senatorial districts. of contigu-
ons territory nsarty e3tut tGrabte population
as possible bit no aczTd shall be dtrtded iu TIE
formation thereof"
The legislature at its first session, after the a
dOption of this amendment. shall divide the city
of Philadelphia into senatorial and representative
districts in the manner above provided; such dis
trlets to remain unchanged until the apportion-
ment in the year one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-four
FOURTH AMENDMENT.
To be section XVI. AYticie eI.
The legislature SD all have the power to alter
revoke, or annul, any charter Of incorporation
hereafter conferred by. under. any special or
general law, whenever in their opinion it may be
injurious to the citizens of the commonwealth in
such manner, however. that no injustice shall be
done TO the corporators.
II SENATE, April 81. 1856
ReSOtced, That this resolution pass On the first
amendment, yeas 81, nays ). On the second n
mcndment, yeas 10, naysG 6. On the third amend
ment, yeas %. nays /. On the fourth amendment
yeas 23 nays A.
Extract from the Journal
THOMAS A. MAGUIRE, Clerk
IL House. OF REPRESENTATIVE, Fos
April 81, 1855.
ResoIred. That this resolution pass. On the
first amendment yeas - nays "a. On the second
amendment. yeas So nays % On the third amend
ment, yeas 64, nsys 25; and on fourth amendment
yeas 60, nays l6.
Extract from the Journal
WILLIAM JACK, Clerk
HFHsdAsp Flied April ?a'' e. a. = S