Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-01-02

-" MEETING OF TIE LEGIsLATUEE.-
The new Pennsylvania Legislature viii
r.cc: on Tuesday next. In the Senate the
two parties will be tie--16 to 1G, owing
to the absence of Major White, Senator from
Indiana, who is now o prisoner in Rich
mond. lie was captured when Slilroy re-
treated from Winchester, and has been held,
notwithstanding the special efforts made by
the government to effect his exchange, sole
y ha1ar7c the rebels know that his return
will give the Union m.n a majority in the
Senate.
The Senate is always an organized body.
II is necessary that it should be so in order
90 provide for the contingency Of the death
of the Governor in which case the Speaker
of the Senate takes the Executive chair.
Hon. John p. Penny, of Allegheny, was
chosen Speaker at the close Of the last scs-
sion, because Speaker Lawrence retired from
the Senate, and It was necessary therefore
tu eject successor VINO held over for the
coming ,c9son. Ii is usual, on the meeting
Of tie Senate, TO proceed to the election of a
Speaker. The custom has been accepted,
Just az is the custom Of the Speaker to re
GIn, at the close OF the session, even il his
time docs not expire. and we doubt not thar
It will be observed az the coming meeting
Of that body. But if the Senate fails to
elect, as We pItsGmc it will. is it to be re.
Gardcd as a body wanting in organization
IF the Senate should fail to elect Speaker
is the chair vacant for all purposes L
Governor Curtin should die or resign, would
not Senator Penny become Governors w
think tha: no sane man would deny his rigl,
and duty TO assume the Decentralization!
in that case and if he lie Speaker for tia
purpose, Tor what purpose is he not Speaker
II the Coppcrhuads attempt to rcta!l III,
organization Of the Senate, by refusing Il
conCcdo the election Of Speaker Penny, thcI
the Union mon have no course left them hu
20 stand upon their extreme rights. For.u
uatyly Speaker Penny can be in no sens
Objectionable. f. lie is a heightened, honoga
bic Senator, and commands the uubouudc,
respect Of all his associates, regardless 0
party lines. Il they will not couccdc hi
election, then It must he manifest that the,
mean to omharrass tie government 10 tn
Utmost extent of their power. In that cas-
tie resignation Of Senator White mast b
delivered and a new Union Senator lie ha,
in bis place =. the oarlics. possible moment
One important duty of the legislature wi
DC ia pass the proposed amendments to IL
Constitution, allowing soldiers to vote an
also 20 make provision for submitting III
amendments 10 vote of the people, at
spcClA. election some time during the sun
mer, - taaV The amendments may be alop
ed in season for the soldiers IN vote at Il
October election. The will be resistc
earnestly but as coycHly as possible by Il
Coppcrheads; lgt they cannot defeat it
the Onion men are true 10 their cause. TA
done, tUc people wi.! adopt tie amcndmen
Ny au overwhelming vote, in spite Of Co
peghtaI politicians, and the opponents
the government ia Pennsylvania will scare
ly a.ke respectable sAow IN the ne
election, Altogether the next session IS I.
m... important in the history Of the stat
and Den every Union man be st his post
fr...