The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-19
sP1RIT OF xH1 PRHss,
Editorial Opinions ofthe Leading Journals
upon Curren; ro2ics upIed Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph
HISTORY OF THE CONSTtTU CIONAL
REFORM MOVEMENT.

before constitutional reform has become
fixed fact, may seem unusual to some uuder
whose observation these lines may fall; but
to those WHO have been closely watching all
that has been said and written concerning
it in the public journals, it viii
not seem strange or out OF place.
In ell human probability Constitutional
Convention is sure to come seed time
and harvest. and since il is assured, and 80
heartily encouraged by the people through
out the whole state, III word, since it Is
popular with tue masses and they demand it,
the number claiming the credit of originating
and initiating the movement Is as great as
the grand army of patriots who first nomi-
mated General Grant for the Presidency; aud,
as a rule, they are just about as much enti-
tied to the honor.
The Constitutional Reform movement be-
gan in JaDuory, 1867, Immediately after the
election of Simon Cameron to tue United
States Senate, and the first article which
called attention to the subject appeared in
the Franklin Reposit07y of the 23d of that
month. 1t came from the hands of Col. A.
X. Mcclure, then the able editor of
this journal. In Justice to NJ.
Mcclure, as well as for the informa-
ton of the public, we republish the article as
it appeared then. Since the movement
began until now, when it is the engrossing
political topic ot the State, Colonel Mcclure
has not ceased to sgitate the subject, aud by
his great ability a. writer and experience in
the political affairs of the State, has done
more to insure it's success than any other
man in the Stste:-
LEGISLATIVE REronM-IT MUST BE FUNDAMENTAL
The people can no longer close their eyes to the
fact thai the hdeoas cancer Of legislative corrup-
ton has spread IFS loatsome pollution the
entire body polite in Pennsylvania and ndfe renee
must heDceforth be criminal. For years venaIty
has been treuchng itself in the citadel of delegated
power, steadily growing and widening its ramihca-
tons, until its uOnstrOus sweep has drawn Legls-
lature into its seethiDg whirlpool, upon the very
threshold Of its oficisl labors, aud bartered the
choicest gift and the most responsible trust the
LOYAL people have to confer.
Nor in this crownng wrong alone do the appli-
and fruits of legislative degradation appear.
Around it, ia IL, through all its channels OF power,
and all its tributaries, the monster sits enthroned
for plunder, that the important committees OF the
popular branch, which control vital and profitable
interests had to be divided and sub. divided and
even then the number almost doubled to swell the
chances for gotten profits and the suoordinates
OF the two branches have been increased to glut
inssttate Gppentes until they number within one.
fourth Of the whole Legislature. Sous fathers, and
other relations OF Legislators CROW around it IN idle
ness, al proigacy and venality rule while the peo-
pie have treachery and taxation as their reward.
'Reform the Legislature by the election OF upright
men" respond all who, with the afiectltion of in
teglity wish corruption to maintain its sway. We
answer it cannot be done. IL has been tried, time
and dagsin aad it has sgaaly failed. We have seen,
and sery Cd in. reform Legislatures, aud the only
perctptihe difference was the increased license to
detanchery assumed by the reformers because Of
their supposed standing at home. 1t is idle to at
tempt reform 10y any such process. But few who
have the stern integrity for such an eff 'rt win un-
dertske the thanEless task, and supple reformers
who are demoTallzed Dy the very hope of contact
With peculation, are ever ready to proclaim their
own virtues to the people, aGd bet'ay them by
There is one simple, practical, efectual remedy;
and the people move In earnest they eau enfOr0e
it, The reform must he rddical-t must be fanda-
mental A Constitutional Convention and that
only can reach the terrible disease, and it is attain
10 q a he IaOio all limit fka
question Of Convention to popular decision. 1t
should be demanded by petition by delegations, by
mass meetings, by the manly utteranceS OF
shackled press, until evea the corrupuonists them
selves shall bow to the thunder of their masters.
Let them demand Convention to incorporate In
their organic law provisions substantially as fol-
lows:-
/. That the Senate shall consist of one hundred
members, to be chosen by single districts
q That the House OF Representatives shall con-
sist or four huRdred members each to be elected in
g. That oil legislation relating to corporation In
terest shall be by general laws and that no special
charter or corporate privileges whatever shall be
granted but by the courts.
A. That Ghefe shall be no special appropriation OF
money from the treasury to claims except upon
5. TRat the members of the Legislature shall be
paid five dollars per day for the period Of sixty days
aud be prohibited from approprating to themselves
any additional sums for protracted sessions or FOR
extra or adjourned sessions beyond sixty days In
6. That no subordinate officers shall be appointed
in either branch, or receive any compensation for
both branches creating the onlce ana dehnlng It's
duties.
receiving majority OF the Wnole vote ON Cali ol
at would be most expensive REFORM" answer the
qubbleTs who unwilling to meet the issue squarely,
wish to delay the day OF the ent ctuel reckoning OF
the people We answer that it would be vastly eco
nOmica The whole cost or Legislature Consist
ing OF five hundred members and the necessary oih-
GERS, under the foregoing provisions would no. @ os
as much as our present Legislature cosA with but
one hundred ana thirty-thTee members, ana there
would be the incaeuable advantage OF the arrest OF
the pronigate appropriation OF money for any and
every purpose that will pay the lobby and in ad-
dtion TO the advantages OF saving the puolc
treasure il would secure honest legislators for two
reasons:
troll OF the lobbyists because OF It's. numbers; aud
would arrest the ''.naking" through OF bills in a
slim house and without record OF eacn mans
vote. In few OF the New England States each
town Corresponding TO our townshlps) sends mem
ber OF the Legislature. Thus the popular branch OF
the Massachusetts Legislature numbers seVera
hundred, although the State has not half our popu
latioD, nor q 1.-THE Of our commercial, mineral, OF
agricultural nserests TO foster or care for la suef
Legislatures corruption 10 unknown. Inc BODY II
too large for the lobby to control, snd t does no
blot the history of that State as il does In ou
mighty commonwealth, still mighty in spite OF th'
vampires WHO fatten upon her in tbs name
T. Ii would bring tine representative into imme
diate relations with, and direct responsibility TO, hi
constituents. II Franklin county elected four re
representatives. instead Of half Of two, each dstrlc
would be composed of several townships, and tn
people would have personal knowledge OF tn
tanning their wishes upon any question. He cOui
not plead as do faithless men now, that som
IL terests In remote part or bis district de
manded his betrayal OF other interests, ana thu
CLOAK his shame. There wonld be direct al
positive responsibility from each meaber 10 hi
people, and they could Aot be decely i, nor woul
they exsuse q disregard OF their wishes lt Uoul
call 10 Legislature different class OF nfen. |:
tellgent farmers and business men could afford I