Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-09-25

RESOLUTION
Proposing Amendments to the Constitution Of
the Commonwealth.
Rssorpd bu the Senate and House Of Representatives.
Of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania in Gene raj dsSem
bp met That the following amendments are proposed to
tue constitution of the commonwealth in accordance with
the provisions of the tenth article thereof.
FIRST AMENDMENT.
There shall he additional article to said constitution
to be designated as article eleven, As fullows:-
ARTICLE
OF PUBLIC DEBTS.
sECTIoN l. The state may contract debts. to supply
casual deficits or failures in revenues, or t" meet eSpcn
otherwise provided for but tr aggregate amount
such debts direct and contingent whether contracted
bY virtue acts of the general assembly
at different periods of time shall exceed hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars and the money arising
from of such debts. shall be applied to the
purpose for which it obtained tn repay the debts
So contracted, and IN no other purpose whatever.
2 In addition to the above limited power the
surrccOn defend the state in to deem the
outstanding Indebtedness of the state bnt the mo-
ney arising from the contracting Of such debts shall be
applied to the purpose for which it raised TO
pay such debts and to other purpose whatever.
sECTIoS 3. Except the debts above specified. in sec
tons one and two of this article debt whatever shall
be created by or on behalf of the state.
1. To provide for the payment of the present
debt and additional debt contracted aforesaid the
legislature shall at its first session. after the adoption of
this amendment. create sinking fund. which shall be
cient tn the accruing interest such debt and
annually reduce the principal thereof less
than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars which sink
Ing fund shall consist of the net annual income of the
public works, from time to time owned by the state or
the proceeds of the sale of the same or any part there
Of and income proceeds of sale of stocks owned
bv the state together with other funds that
may be designated by law. The said sinking fund may be
increased from time to me by assigning 10 it any part
of the othsr revenues of the state not required
for the ordinary and current expenses of and
unless in of war; invasion nsurrecon, part Of
said sinking fund shall he used applied otherwise
than in extnguishment of the public dept. until the
of such debt l. reduced below the of five mil
lions of dollars.
SECTION S. The credir of the commonwealth shall not
In any event be pledged loaned to- any in
divdual company corporation or association nor shall
the commonwealth hereafter become joint owner or
Ftockhode in any company. association corporation
SECTION 6. The commonwealth shall not assume the
debt part thereof Of any county city, borough
township Of any corporation association unless
such debt shall have been contracted to enable the state
70 repel INVASION suppress domestic nsurrection defend
itself in time of war; assist the state in the discharge
OF any portion of its present Indebtedness.
SEcrIoS /. The legislature shall not authorize any
county city, borough township or incorporated district
hy virtue of vote of its citizens otherwise to become
in any company association or corporaton
obtain for loan its credit any corpora
tion, association, institution or party.
SECOND AMENDMENT.
There shall be additional article TO said constitution
10 be designated article XII, as follows -
OF NEW COUNTER
No county shall be divided by line cutting of over
onetenth Of its population (either to form county
otherwse without the express assent of such
by vote of the electors thereof shall any
V be established containing less than four hundred square
miles.
THIRD AMENDMENT.
From section two of the first article Of the constitution
strike out the words, Of the ctty Of Philadelphia, and Of
each county respectively " from section FIVE article
strike out the words Of Philadelphia and Of the several
the words. neither the city Of Philadelphia any,
and insert in lieu thereof the words. and :" and
strike out section four article and in lieu thereof
Insert the following:
SECTION l. In the year one thousand eight hundred
and sixtyour and in every seventh year thereafter rep
rc4entaves to the number of one hundred shall be a-
poroned and distributed equally throughout the state
by districts in proportion tn the number of taxable
hsbtants in the several parts thereof except that any
county containing at least three thousand five hundred
taxahes may be allowed separate representation but
than three counties shall be joined. and
~ shall be divided. in the formation of district. Any
city containing sufficient number Of taxabes to enttle
II TO at least two representatives, shall have separate
representation gned it, and shall be divided into con
venent districts of contiguous territory Of equal taxable
population a. near as may be each Of which districts shall
elect one representative"
At the end of section seven same article insert these
words the city Of Philadelphia shall be dirided
gs senatorial districts Of contiguous territory nearly
equal in tdrdbe population possible but ~drd shall
BE- dirided In the formation thereof"
The Legislature at its first session. after the adoption
Of this amendment shall divide the city Of Phil1de phia
above provided; such districts remain unchanged IN
iii the apportionment in the year thousand hun
dred and sixtyfOur.
ForRTH AMENDMENT.
To be section XXyI, article
The legislature shall have the power alter revoke
snnu any charter of incorporation hereafter conferred
by. under. any special general law whenever in
their opinan it may be injurious tn the citizens of the
commonwealth In such manner, however, that no III
justice shall be done 10 the corporatoTs.
IN SENATE. fp,I q. 1885,
Rrsored, That this resolution pass. On the first amend
uent yeas "a nays :. On the second amendment yeas
10 nays C. On the third amendment yeas 2s, nays l.
On the fourth amendment, yeas %, nays l..
Extract from the Journal.
THOMAS A. MAGUIRE, CLERK.
II House OF REPRESENTATIVES,
44pra 81. 1856.
Resoirrd That this resolution pass On the first amend
ment yeas ~ nays ~ On the second ameedment yeas
g. nays %. On the third amendment yeas 6 nays Is
and ON fourth amendment. yeas 60, nays 10,
Extract from the Journal. VIM. JACK, Clerk.
sECRETARY's OFFICE. A. G. CURTIN,
Eued April "A, 1856. Secy. Of the Commonwealth
SEcRETARY's OFEreE,
Harrisburg June 27, 1856. !
Pennsylvania So:
correct correct copy OF the GEns Resolution relative
TO an amendment Of the Constitution as the same re
mains on file in this Office
-. In testimony whereof have hereunto set m,
LIS hand and caused to be affixed the seal of the Sec
.retary's Office. the day and year aboxe written
4. g. CURTIN,
.Secretrry of the CeatponsreG'h
IN SENATE, 1pril p, 1856.
Of the Commonwealth, being under consideration.
On the question.
VIII the Senate agree to the first amendment?
The yeas and taken agrceaby to the provisions