Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-01


Now, sir, think such expressions on the
part of the Supreme Court are very unbecom-
ing and unwise / hope the time will never
come when, before we can know whether our
laws are judicious and wise, we must obtain
the the opinion of that body for as | have
said, it is body that | have not thought any
thing about only as have been reminded Of
it SO often on the one side and on the other
during this debate.
| Since last occupied the floor on this sub,
ect have listened, as | always listen, with
! great deal of pleasure and satisfaction to my
friend from Lycoming. He tells US that be
voted against the passage OF this act last wlh-
| ter, that he thought it nnwise, and that he had
doubts Of its coustitutiODality. Yes ne comes
! in here now, and when we talk of repeating
that act, he says, g" you connot do it it eau
not be DONE" | am surprised at the position
which the gentleman occupies. He say that,
/ though a majority Of this Legislature should
! be bought, should absolutely be corrupted with
money, vet we cannot undo the act indnced
| by these corrupt influences. He has read Us
an authority from the Supreme Court, in which
that court has said, if | understand him cor.
recty, that it would be unseemy on the part
of the court to inquire into our conduct
here. Now, do not know butthat it would
be uuseemly and indicate for tribunal
of that sort to undertake such an in quiTy.-
But sir, that is not what we propose to do.
The gentleman proposes to submit this matter
to the consideration of the Supreme Court
but do not, my friend from Allegheny does
| not, and the men who act with us do not pro-
pose to submit any such question to that tri'
buual .l.
Mr.. ARMSTRONG; would inquire of
! the gentleman what he does propose. When
this repeating act shall have been passed, will
it not then be competent for tae Supreme
| Court to pass upon it
| Mr.. TRACY. propose to let the court
act within their proper sphere in this case as
in all others do not propose to trespasS up
on their functions. If parties having an inter
est 10 the matter desire to submit this act to
the court, they may of course submit it.
Mr.. ARMSTRONG. Then you propose
! that this question shall be submitted to the
! Supreme Court
/ Mr. TRACY do not propose to submit
it to the Supreme Court ). bat the parties in
terested may submit itas they dol other cases
i have no objection ....... s. as
Mr. ARMSTRONG. / only desire to un-
derstand from the gentleman whether his idea
is that this question can be decided without
reference to the Supreme Court. -r.s c1
Mr. TRACY. propose that we shall de-
eide it here. .-. t.--.. .-
Mr.. ARMSTRONG. Yes, sir, so l under.
stood that is, the gentleman proposes that
the Legislature shall decide upoO the constr
/ tioLaHty of the law ! -ar- .e.E ...rI s.s.s..
Mr.. TRACY / do-indeed do. s --
! Mr.. ARMSTRONG. So / understood.
Mr.. TRACY. II other parties, individuals
or corporations, have an interest in this qaes-
1 ton, and desire to carry it before that body,
shall not iuterpose any objection. They have
! right, under our Constitution and laws, to
/ do so. The gentleman's amendment proposes
! that are snail carry the question TO the SH
preme Court-that we shall order the Attorney
! General to carry it there. Now, | do noe
! propose to make any such ORDERS am not
disposed 10 give aRy such direction.
Again, the gentleman says that majority
! Of this body have been corrupted, we cannot
inquire into the corruption. The Supreme
Court have said that they would not inquire
into it. Then, sir, whoS to inquire into it =
! Why, the gentleman says, the people may
elect other aud better representatives. When
those representatives come here, what are they
to do Have they any more enlarged powers
than we : Gao they inquire No, sir, they
would still constitute the same6 Legislature
Then, sir, if we aud our successors and the Su-
| preme Court, are powerlesS in regard to this
matter, we have state of gloom even more
dark and appalling than that presented by my
friend from Huntingdon, { Mr.. SooTT,) because
he inclined to the opinion that the courts might
inquire But if the Supreme Court cannot in-
! quire into the corruption which may have in
duced legislation, and if we are prohibited
| from iuquirng into it, and if our successors
will have no more authority and power than
we have then, sir, the institutions of this State
are enveloped in pail of gloom of which
had not before conceived. If this reasoning
be true to what helpless condition we are re-
duced A great crying evil exists which
the courts are incompetent to reach. We, too.
are poweress to apply any remedy aud If
we 90 home to give place to our successors,
they, when they come here, are equally pow
erlesS That sort of reasoning does not sat
isfy me that sort of reasoning, am well as.
sured, will never satisfy the people Of Bradford
county nor PennsylVania.
A Man SWEPT Over GENEsEE FALLs.-On
Wednesday morning, abont O'Clock, man
by the name of Francis McKean, the proprie
tor of the Canada House, on Front street, COM
mitted suicide by jumping into the river be-
/ tvvonp tho Coo Works and Rrown'S Race =