The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-12-08
A Constitutional convention.

press of both political parties has been en-
gagged in discussing the question of holding
q Convention for the purpose of altering and
amending the Constitution of the State. As
was to be expected, project of such vital
importance to the future welfare of the
people has many warm and enthusiastic ad-
vocates, and not few bitter and determined
opponents. The friends, however, of the
proposed convention, so far as we can gather
from our exchanges. seem TO be greatly in
the preponjerance. 1t is now thirty-twc
years since the present Constitution was |
adopted by popular vote, and although it |
was a vast improvement on the Constitution |
Of 1890. strong impression has been made |
on the public mind, that still further changes |
in the organic law are imperaIively demanded |
for the certain and absolute preservation of
the threatened rights of the people. We
have long been impressed with the propriety
of holding such a convention. and the shame
less results of every session of the Legislature
have more and more confirmed our convic-
tions of its necessity. Unless some strong
the people and the assumed omnipotence of
the Legislature, the rights of person and OF
property in orr State will all be gradually
absorbed by the legislative branch of the
government, aid will exist only in name
The great and growing evil of the present
day is surfeit of legislation, but particu-
larly of special legislation, aad it is of this
feature in our legislation, more than any
thing else, that the people SO loudly com
plain, and which has caused them to look
source of relief. Our annual ponderous vol
ume Of the Acts of Assembly is an eloquent
commentary on the wisdom of the man who
said that "tbe world is governed too much"
There are many other subjects of great i'm
portance that would naturally present them
selves to the convention for its deliberate
action, one of which would be the manner
Of electiDg State Treasurer. We cannot,
however, 60 into details on that or any of
the other questions, which would necessarily
force themselves en- the convention for its
ultimate decision.
| Assuming, then, that popular sentiment
is in favor of holding a convention, the cifh-
cult question presents itself, how shall its
members be elected2 On this subject there
exists great conflict Of opinion. 1t is per-
fectly self-evident that Constitutional Con-
vention should not be partisan body, but
an assembly or conVocation Of men repre-
senting and acting for the entire body of the
| people, and not merely for the interests and
advantage Of any one political party. This
narrow and contracted view of the high
functions of such a convention would sink
the project into deserved contempt, and
ought therefore to meet with no countenance.
If the party in power will insist that the
members of the convention shall be elected
under tho Senatorial and Representative ap-
I portionment bill of 1864, we are unalterably
opposed to the whole scheme. That was
the most unjust and infamous apportionment
that ever disgraced the Legislature of the
State. 1t is difficult to see how the majority
that voted for it can escape the charge of
moral perjury. Under its gerrymandering
provisions, several certain and reliable Dem
ocratic counties were unnaturally attached
to adjoining Radical counties giving larger
majorities, and their political influence was
thus neutralized and destroyed. In Phila-
delphia, entitled to eighteen members of the
House, and where parties are nearly equally
divided, the districts were so formed az to
prevent the Democratic party from electing
I H. E = &Ao
whole number. No houest man would ad-
vocate that bill as the basis ON which to elcc.
delegates to Constitutional Convention
Both the political parties ought to be as
nearly equally represented in the convention
as possible. This was the complexion of
the conven ton that framed the present Con-
stitution of New Jersey in 1843, and the
result was that it was almost unanimously
ratified by the people of that State. A sim
liar arrangement could be easily effected in
Pennsylvania and with the same harmonious
result. We arc therefore in favor of con.
vention constituted on such basis, or one
similar to it, that will have a due regard to
the numerical strength of parties. This is a
question purely for the Legislature. If it is
approached in a proper spirit, free from the
low and scurvy tricks of the political dema,
gogue, and if fair and equitable arrange
ment of the districts is made, the labors Of
the convention will receive the endorsement
Of the people. On the other hand, if it should
degenerate into purely party movement
and with ulterior party purposes in view, its
| work viii meet with certain and deserved
popular condemnation.
A Strong Nomination.