New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-09-01
PENNSYLVANIA MINORITY CONVENTION
PROPOSED ALTERATION IN THE STATE coz.
SJIIUTION.

sTITUTION.
READING, Aug. 31.-Quite number Of deIa-
gates arrived here last night Lehgh was strongly ron,
resented and at informal meeting held in the paro,
OF tie Mansion House, considerable discussion took pao,
to the subjects likely to before the Conyent
On the part Of some delegates there was an eyts,1,
bring up the question Of Misrepresentation ~
Harrisburg, while the majority in favor OF con
ning the discussion to the subject for which the meeting
was called-namely, minority representation.
A few minutes s:ter II, T.. J. More esq called the
Convention TO order George Lear esq OF Bucks County
was appointed temporary Chairman, and the following
officers whre selected Joseph Rtner, esq, Of Cumber
land County Secretary Morgan X Wills, esq Of Mont
gomery County, Assistant secretary Conside rabe dis
cusson took place. and numberless suggestions
lutons offered The prevalent feeling not
OF nnanmity either on the question Of what constituted
delegate or Constitutional Reform. John II. Oliver.
esq, at the head OF party which wanted erpos
Of and movement against the present system OF Ped
eral appointments and opposed by many gates.
Before adjOurning for dinner Committees appointed
on Credentials on Organization, and on Resolutions.
On serbling Committee on Permanent Organiza-
ton offered the foowing President George Lear. es.
Bucks County; veeP Presidents seth w. Gear OF schuy
kill Gen William Lilly, Carbon; A. W. Fulton of West
moland the Hon. William NJ Heiser OF Bcrks, A. j. Try
OF York, Henry Dmare Of Phiiade phla ana G. G. Jed
Morgan Il. Wes of Montgomery T.. j. Moore OF Lehgh.
J. Whit Wood OF Northampton, Benjamin L. Berry Phl'
George Lear esq said he felt very highly the compl-
ment in being placed at the head OF TINS forward n"yr
ment-a step that IL IL well for Pennsylvania 20 take.
Though comparatively now thing tn ~ hid receiver
the thoughtful care and attention OF me best sds OF
England and had been adopted In Illinois II was ide
declare the equality OF men without giving aI the o
pOrtunty OF being represented Altho9Sh We ILL, ns1
representative based the vote by ballot Vet
II the voting was so arranged that io.i
half it's weight 1t was mot m,r la sear.
ac tyrannous the most tyrannca form on
the world ever saw Caucuses t SSI h n,
machinery going and the voters phndy io"o"eu 'neu
fys Convention was assembled because the pcop.
have 80 very little voice in the mser OF representation
Even majority counties were ruled by few gentlemen
who arranged their plans without reference TO the repre-
sentation Of the people Men got office the proire
that they would, for instance appoint their tendsis
collect the revenue Men should not be sent TO Washing
ton or Harrisburg for the sake of position but to fairy
LET the voice of their constituents be heard.
OF late years in this country the science ~ politics haf
refrigerated, and the people had been delivered over
bound hand and foot into the hands OF party scemer
shall look for a change In our state Constitution ns
time the people of Pennsylvania had opportunity
Constitution OF this state Notwithstanding it ti The
party which belong, declare that with few hon
orable exceptions, the Legislative bodice Of tina
state for year, past have been disgrace TO It
OBJECTS legislation regarded as to whether money
be in them Legislation for the benefit Of corpora
lions is carried the detriment Of the interests OF the
people. We need not ask for minority representsonby
of Assembly acts Of Assembly are 80 often aud
soon repealed. II the principle is worth anythingu
worth embodying in the Constitution of the state
sentiments of the Convention in relation TO the Necessity
of Constitutional Convention, denouncing the presen,
of the majority in the several Districts aud he
dorsng the action Of the state Of ino Commits
address. 1t would be impossible in brief summary
idea OF the able and mastery exposition u
his views the minority question He spoke upon the
mpossibty or making this question Of reform a party
or individual but to the necessities and Interests q hs
whole. What was proposed was free vote % all tie
electors, which would enable them 10 represent them
selves in the Government whether Federal State Mu
nicipal. The term cumulative" was Insufficient 10
press the whole idea Of the new plan. The term
Free vote" was therefore to be preferred. a. rs
Specification more comprehensive and exact Where
the voters hold several votes he was TO distribute
cenrae them freely according to his judgment and
honest conviction instead OF being subjected to
slowed. He objected also to the term minority repre-.
sentation, because it did not Indicate the entire scops
totally represe naton exact thou gh
might be thought uncouth Every considerable Interest
entire mass Of electors brought into active relations
Government After explaining the character and opera
the elections to which il was applicablo-in Federal
elections the choice OF Members OF Congress and Pres
members OF the Legislature, Judges OF the supreus
Court, Associate Judges Of counties, County Comms
and boroughs Directors OF Common Schools, aud sund
other municipal officers; also To the choice of director
election Of delegates to nominating conventions Heck
planned at some length the advantage Of the free vote
under the following heads: First, that IL would ye
greatly reduce the expense and consequent corruption
elections second that it would establish inst and full
representation OF the people; third, that few candidates
would be beaten, each party would support numbe
OF candidates il could elect lastly, thai better me,
eonciliatng the floating corrupt vote. eonsts
tuting the balance Of power between parties woas
The conclusion OF the address earnest appcalh
favor OF reform TO cheaper and purify elections insu
greater degree of contentment among the people, avoid
much i'll feeling by decreasing bitterness OF election COD
tests and insure improved class OF men for pu0he
service The greatest unanimy and enthusiasm marked
this part the proceedings and arguments for reform
were heartily Endorsed and appauded An Executive
Committee Of 81 appointed 10 carry out the obeot
OF the Convention, and also Committee 70 confer VIII
the Legislature next ession in regard Ia action invited
from that body by resolutions resolution inviting cor
dial cooperation OF OF all parties was passed and
also recommending the passage laws for applying thn
method 10 municipal elections in the state. Tn Copvee
tion adjourned after usual votes Of thanks, at 0e
sine die.