Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-08-20
I'D ESOLUTION, PROPOSING AMEND
Ee MENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE COMMONWEALTH.


P EsOLUTION, PROPOSING AMEND
OF THE COMMONWEALTH
ResOfced, bD tie Senate Gasa Hohse Of RepreSea-
fqtfres of the Commonwealth Of Pe1i1syltanta IN
General assembly met That the following amend
ments proposed TO the Constitution of the Com
monwealth, in accordance with the provisions of
the tenth article thereof.
FIRST AMENDMENT.
There shall be an additional article to said con-
Sttution TO be designated as article eleven, fol-
lows - ARTICLE NJ.
OF PUBLIC DEBTS.
SECTION i. 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 one or
more acts Of the general assembly, or at different
periods of time shall never exceed seven hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, and the money arising
from the creation of such debts shall be applied
the purpose for which it was obtained or 10 repay
the debts so contracted, and to no other purpose
whatever.
SECTION 2. In addition 10 the above limited
power the state may contract debts to repel inya-
sion, suppress nsurrectioD defend the state in war
or 10 redeem the present outstanding indebtedness
OF the state; but the money arising from the con
tracing of such debts, shall be applied to the pur
pose for which it was raised, to repay such
debts. and to no other purpose whatever.
SECTION 3. Except the debts above specified, in
sections and two of this article no debt what
ever shall be created by behalf of the state.
SECTION 1. To provide for the payment of the
present debt and any additional debt contracted
aforesaid the legislature shall at its first ses-
sign after the adoption of this amendment, create
sinking fund, which shall be sufficient 10 pay
the accruinS interest on such debt, and annually
to reduce the principal thereof by a 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 resources. that may
be designated by law. The said sinking fund may
De 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 of war,
INVASION or lnsurrection. part of the said sink
ing fund shall be cd or applied otherwise than
In eXtinguishmoDt of the public debt until the a.
mount of such debt is reduccd below the sum of
five millions of dollars
SECTIONS. The credit of the commonwealth shal
not in any manner: or event, be pledged, loaned
TO- any Individual, company. corporation,
citation nor shall the comm cath hereafter be-
come Joint owner, or stockholder, in any compa-
ny association. corporation.
SECTION 6. The commonwealth shall not assume
the debt or any part thereof of any county, city,
borough, or township; or of any corporation, or
association; unless such debt shall have been con-
tracted to enable the state to repe invasion sup
press domestic insurreetion, defend itself in time
Of war, to assist the state in the discharge of
any portion of its present Indebtedness.
SECTION l. The legislature shall not authorize
any county, city, borough, township. or incorpora
leu virtue OF a vote OF It's cltIZeHS-
otherwise, to become stockhoder in any compa-
ny, association, corporation or to obtain money
for, or loan its credit TO, any corporation, associa
tion institution, or party.
SECOND AMENDMENT.
There shall be additional article to said con-
stitution to be designated article XII follows
ARTICLE MI
OF NEW COUNTIES.
Nc 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 county be established. con
tanning less than four hundred square miles.
THIRD AmEAnuExT
From section two of the first article Of the con-
stitution strike out the words, .'otie city Of Phi
Lsa6lftg, Gsaa Of caci coHnty rsapectirsly; ;; from
section FIVE article strike out the words, ''of
Ih}iaHekfltia anil Of the sereral counties = from
section seven, same article, strike out The words,
''ReiAfer tie eity Of ThlodeijdtG nor any and
insert in lieu thereof the words. 'a1id no - and
strike out 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
hundreds shall be apportioned and distributed
equally sdhroughout 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 more than three counties shall be
joined, and county shall be divided, in the for
clcnt number of taXables TO cntitc it to at least
two representatives, shall have a SEPARATE repre-
sentauon assigned it, and shall be divided into
convenient districts of contiguous territory, of
equal taxable population as near as may be; each
of which districts hail elect representative"
At the end of section seven. same article, insert
these words, 'His city Of PhiAaaeipia staSL be df
riied INTO single senatorial districts Of c0HtigH-
Os Tertiary 1ieayy ega,at i1 fGabke population
a. possible; bat a.ggd shall be dirtded tR tie
tOrHhatjOU Hereof"
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
tricts to remain unchanged until the apportion-
ment in the year one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-four.
FOURTH AMENDMENT.
To BE- section XNyI, ArticfeI.
The legislature stall have the power to alter.
revoke, annul, any charter of incorporation
hereafter conferred by. or 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 injustice shall DC
done TO the corporators.
IN SENATE, April 81, 1856
ResoEred That this resolution pass. On the first
amendment, yeas "a, nays >. On the second u
amendment yeas 49, nays6. On the third amend
tment, yeas 2S, nays l. On the fourth amendment,
yeas %, nays A.
! Extract from the Journal
THOMAS A. MAGUIRE, Clerk
IL House OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
April 81, 1856.
Resolre3, That this resolution pass. On the
first amendment yeas ~ nays "a. On the second
ment, yeas 6i, nays 25; and on fourth amendment
yeas Co. nays rs.
Extract from the Journal.
WILLIAM JACK, Clerk.