Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-02-27


which should never enter into the deliberations
of this body But since we have been invited
| by the opponents. of this bill. into the discus
sion of topics which are not objects of legit-
innate inquiry--topics which are purely OF
| partixan character-I can never shrink from
the task Of clearly defining my position; nor
| avoid the duty of meeting fearlessly the OBJ
| jections which have been urged against this
measure. have duty to perform, whipE
has been imposed by the oath that have Ia
ken as Q legislator. That oath does not lead
me to inquire whether these corporators are
| Froneiscaa BretAers-a branch of the Roman
| Catholic Church, ewing allegiance to the
/ Pope of Rome, or whether they belongt to any
other class of religionists it directs me to
inquire, whether or not these corporators So
! licit privileges which are not denied them by
| the Constitution of the United States, or the
| Constitution of this Commonwealth.
can find nothing in this act of incorpora-
ton which asks privileges which are denied
by the existing laws; but 1 do find proviso
which reads thus: * That said bylaws shall
not be repugnant to, nor inconsistent with,
the constitution and laws of the United States,
or of this State" 4 sufficient guarantee to
me. (and ought to be to every well-meaning
legislator, until the contrary be shown, } that
and do no. seek any other privileges than
those which are plainly set forth in their act
Of incorporation.
The gentleman from Lawrence, (Mr. NJ
Comb,) perhaps after seepless night of
watchful deliberation; has become equally sus-
picious as the learned and eloquent gentleman
from the city. (Mr. Norris and now seeing
with his eyes and trembling with his fears
and travelling with him in his graphic descrip
ton through the most benighted nssteries
of Spain--now sees looming up in the dim
distance of the future a dark spectre. which
his heated imagination describes the first
creation of an incipient monastery in the COM
monwealth of Pennsylvania. Truly won-
derful discovery of deep. discerning mind.
And although on yesterday the gentleman from
Lawrence disclaimed all intention to make the
inquiry, whether this was the incorporation
of Catholic institution or not. or of any reli-
gious sect whatever, and although he then
presumed that there was not member upon
this floor who would make this inquiry, and
although he then avowed that his entire OBJ
lection to this bill was supon the ground that
the Courts had ample jurisdiction yet to-day,
since he has heard the interrogation of the
gentleman from Warren, (Mr. Lott ) who
asks the gentleman from Cambria MIR. SMITH
under the control and jurisdiction of the Pope
of Rome, mighty '' change has come Ger
the spirit of his Dream and now, since he
! has likewise had the benefit of the warning
| voice of the gentleman from Venango, (Mr
NJ 'Calmont,) who informs us that this is
! Jesuitical institution, and that we are about
to incorporate pest house-in whose walls
the little bright eye orphan boys of the noun
tain shall be immured as in living sepulchre
! he now introduces a resolution providing
that this bill be referred to the Judiciary Com
! Dittee, in order to ascertain the form of the
/ constitution and the nature of the bylaws by
which these corporators intend to be govern
! ed
deny sir, that this is an object of legiti-
mate inquiry--it is precedent, which, ven
ture, cannot be found in the history of en-
lightened legislation. The act of every in
corporation forms the basis and indicates the
very nature of the constitution and bylaws
which must govern the association, and con-
fues its operation TO the Legitimate ends of its
charter.
No, Mr. Speaker the cloven foot" has
made its appearance murder will out. -
The objections to this bill consists not in its
alleged confiction with the joint rules of the
Legislature, but that il has an unfortunate til
tle-it seeks to give community of Francis
can Brothers act of Incorporation, by which
they may be enabled to afford relief and give
support to destitute and dependent persons.
and TO provide for the maintenance of orphans,
and the care and education of youth.
While it is conteuded by the opposition that
these privileges can be secured by an applica-
ton to the Court of Common Pleas for an act
of incorporation, why is it that they must
gloat over the ruinous, and dreadful conse-
quences which would speedily follow in the
wake of the incorporation of monastery, as
it has been designated 2" Why is it that
gentlemen do not con6Ue their remarks to the
only legitimate object of inquiry-is sufficient
power or not invested in the courts to secure
to these corporators the same privileges which
they are asking from this body? The reasons
assigned by the gentleman from Luzerne,
(Mr Wright fully satisfy me that the Courts
have not ample power to grant all the privil-
eges asked for in this act of incorporation.
In conclusion, / will add, that in support
ing this bill l am actuated by motives of a
higher consideration than those of partizan
character 1t is sufficient for me to know
that l may conscientiously discharge those
duties imposed by the solemn obligation of an
oath, and that oath does not lead to inquire
what is the religion of these corporators
The question recurred on the motion of Mr.
MCoMB to recommit, with instructions to
inquire into the constitution, bylaws, oaths,
&C., OF the society, it was determined in the
negative. as follows: :: Yeas %; Nays go.
Dir, MUMMA moved to amend the first
section so as to prevent any persons from be-
coming corporators, who are not citizens of
this Commonwealth.
Mr.. GETZ moved further to amend by