American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-01-09

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actment Of laws, after the surrender of
the last rebel military force. 1t was de-
termined again, when the now pending
amendments were proposed by Congress.
If two thirds of Congress, as now ceasll:
tuted could lawfully propose those amend
ments, then three>fourths of the States,
not excluded from representation III Con-
gress form sufficient majority to effect
their lawful adoption. Is;was determin>
ed again by the fsypal sanction of both
the great political parties, when Congress
by an almosf unanimous vote, declared
the rebellious States without the right OF
representation in the Electoral College
in 1864.
We ought to 60 on resolutely and rap.
idly, with al measures deemed necessa-
ry to the future safety of the country, so
that all parts of it may, at the earliest
day be restored to just and eqnal polite
al privileges.
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF SOLDIERS
ORPHANS.
The annual report of Hon. Thomas Fl.
Burrowes, Superintendent of the main
tenance and education of the soldiers
orphans, will exhibit the present condi-
tion and the result thus far of that un-
dertaking. Nearly three thousand OF the
destitute children Of the brave men who
aid down their lives that the na,ion
might live, are now not only comfortably
provided for and guarded from tempta-
tion but are teeeiving an education which
will fit them to repay the care Of the
State
The appropriation made for this pur-
pose, at the last session, has been suffi>
cient 10 meet all expenses of the 6narf,
cial year Jast closed. And recommend
whatever appropriation may be necessa-
ry, to continue and perfect the system
under which the schools are conducted.
There can be no DOUBT that the appro-
priation viii be made.i Were l to selecF
any State interest yhich 7 would more
warmly commend 30 your prompt atten.
tion and liberaiity than another, it would
be this. All Pennsvlsanians are proud
of it, and it lies near the hearts Of all
true men.
Owing to their greater destit ution and
want of information on the part of their
relatives, the orphans of our colorcd sol
diers may require some special attention.
Perhaps authority to the State Superin
tendent, to use, for Il short time, the SER
vices of an agent, to ascertain their mum.
Der and claims, anl bring them into the
schools that may be provided for 'tham,
will be sufficient. The whole mum ber
in the Stat. is not large, of whom few
have already beer tenporlly provided
fer. r. , N'
RELIEF,oF POOR SOLDIERS sEEc9MMENpED
recommend that provision be made
for the maintenapee of such of our SOL
diers as are in poverty, aud have been so
manned as to prevent them from secur>
ing livelihood by their labor, by ren.
ting buildings at once, or such other
means az you may deem wise and proper,
uptil the arrangements proposed by the
National Government for their support
are completed They are probably few
in number, and it is due to the character
of the Commonwealth, that they should
not remain in, or become the inmates of,
poor houses, 'oF pick up a p,ecarious sub
sistence by begging Patriotic and char.
liable citizens have done hnch Tor them,
but speedy and proper relief Gan only be
given them by the systematic and con
tinued bGhevolence Of the Commons
wealth. The Legislature can alone afford
immediate relief to all of this class Of our
citizens, and in thus exhibiting gratitude
to heroic and faithful men, who did so
much for the country, the burden will
fall equally on all the people.
JURY COMMISSIONERS RECOMMENDED.
BY our existing laws, juries orc selec.
ted by the sheriff and commissioners of
the respective counties. As these Off
GERS are generally Of similar political afs
finities, the system has always been ia
danger of being abused for partisan pur.
poses. During the last six years it has
been frequently abused, iT many Of the
counties, '-"--
To secure, as far as possible, the ad.
ministration of eluai'justice hereafter, l
recommend that Jdffy commissioners shall
be elected in each county, IN the same
manner as inspectors of elections are
chosen, each citizen voting for one jury
commissioner, and the two persons ,hav-
ing the highest number ofvoies to Ne the
jury commissioners Of the respective
county, to perform the same duties,in the
selection of Jurors, that ace now imposed
upon the sheriff and county commission.
ers.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
1t is impossible to provide, in all re-
spects, for the increasing and changing
interests of our people by the enactment
of general laws, but to a large extent it
is impracticable to relieve the Eegisla
ture from special legislation which Is de-
manded and Occupies so much of its ses-
sions. Special legislation Is generally
passed without due consideration, much
OF it at the close of the session, aud is
chiefly Objectionable from the pariiality
with which powers and privileges are con-
GENERAL RAILROAD LAW RECOMMENDED
again recommend the passage Of gei,
sral,laws, when il is at all practi able and
in this connection recommend the pass
age of a general law regulating rsilroads
now existing and the incorporation of