Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-01-11
Governor Geary's Message.

message After PREDATORY remarks, tn
finance of the STATE is reviewed Tk
public debt on the 3Oth of November
1869, was s32, ,Sl4.54O95, on Nov. sc
1870, it was s3l,lll Col 90. showing
reduction during the year of Sl,702, ,s79
05 The average reduction per annum
since January Is, 1867, has been 81,
64s,lS7. He submits that by using th'
State assets ss,5OO.OOO. and keeping thu
revenues and expenditures of the Com
monwealth at their present figures. "th'
entire liabilities Of the State could b.
liquidated in about eight years
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
On this sll-important subject We give
His Excel!ency's remarks in full
Four years experience as an executive
officer he's given me abnnoant opportunity
for careful observation upon the workings
of our fundamental law and the legislation
of the State. This experience hs.
strongly impressed me that there should
e a thorou h revision of the State Con.
stitution, with such amendments as the
wisdom of convention assembled for
that purpose would undoubtedly sugges;
and enlightened public sentiment demand
The authority for holding such con-
vcntion is found in the second section of
the ninth article of the Constitution. and
is declared in these words: THAT all
power is Inherent in the people, and all
free governments are founded on their
authority, and instituted for their peace,
safety, and happiness. For the advance
ment of these ends, they have, at all
times, sn unalienable and iudefeasible
right to alter, reform, or abolish their gov
ernment, in such manner as they may
think proper
The last convention for thi. purpose
was held in 1888. During 80 years
which have since elapsed, sundry amend
ments have been made by joint re.olu-
tons of the General Assembly, and, in
compliance with the 10Th article of the
Constitution were approved and ratified
by majority of the qualified voters of
the State. The most important were
those of 1850, making the Judges of the
courts elective; of 1857, creating Sink.
ing Fund, regulating the public debt and
legislative districts, and Of 1854, confer
ring the right Of suffrage upon those en-
gagged in military service of the State or
Nation, and imposing sundry restraints
on the power of the Legislature. These
amendments, though important and valu
able, give an incongruous sort of
patchwork character to the Constitution,
and are not consonant with the requir-
ments of the times.
This lie progressive period, and our
State has out-grown its fundamental law
That law should, therefore, be made TO
keep pace with the age in which We live.
The existing Constitution, including the
amendments of 1857 and 1854, impose
many wholesome restrictions on the pow.
er and jurisdiction of tie Legislature
but experience has demonstrated their ill., |
adequacy to protect The people against the
evils intended to be remedied, and espec-
tally those of corporate power. and of
special and local legislation. The pam
rhlet law for the last four years show
that the general laws for each session
made only about 400 pages. whilst the
local and special legislation for the same
period amount annually to about 1850.
The resulting evils are manifold and ag-
gravated, and prominent among the rea-
sons and suggestions why q remedy
should be applied, | respectfully submit
the following:
1. Different systems of laws for roads,
bridges, schools, elections, poor-houses,
and many other things, are enacted for
the several counties, townships, and bor-
oushs. on subjects which ought to be
regulated by general laws, operating uni
formly upon all.
2 1t is impossible for the citizens,
Judges of the courts. or members of the
legal profession, to acquire or retain an
accurate knowledge of the varying fys.
TENS Of laws in their respective districts
and frequently, on removal from one
county to another, our people find them
selves under almost entirely different
codes.
8. Practically, the whole theory of our
Constitution and government is subvert-
ed and destroyed by the present system
Of local enactments. Representative
government is based on the idea that the
laws shall be framed by. and be the re-
sult Of. the collective wisdom of the peo-
ples representatives. But what are the
actual facts The minds anG efforts Of {
the members are SO wholly absorbed by I
private and local bills that it is almost
impossible to get general or public act ,
considered or passed. The special and &
ocal bile are usually drawn by the mem .