The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-04

ing November 30, 1870 s one million seven hundred
and two thousand eight hundred aud seventy mne
dollars and five cents.
The average reduction per annum for the last
four years is one million six hundred aud forty
eight thousand one hundred and eighty-seven
dollars.
In view OF the fact that prior to the FIRST OF July
1872, nearly eight million dollars OF the public DEBT
will be due, and in order that the Commonwealth
may continue to meet all its obligations promptly at
maturity, recommend that such provision be made
by the Legislature as will authorize the Commits
sioners of the Sinking Fund TO sell all the assets
that may be in their possession, and apDy the pro-
ceeds TO the eXtnguishment OF the debit or, at the
option OF the holders to exchange them for the
standing bonds Of the Commonwealth.
The Indebtedness of the State might be paid in
it was November 80, 1870, about thirty
one million dollars, from which amount, If
me said assets S95ODOOO, be deducted there would
The revenues and expenditures to confuse AS az
present, the entire liabilities Of the State could be
liguda ed in about eight years.
If this mode Of paying the State debt should be re-
garded as unnecessarily rapid and oppressive then
"a movement to revise and modify taxation may
meet with much more general favor. our debt is
now held firmly hy those to whom it Is great bene
ht 10 have so secure an Investment. certain
reduction Of one million dollars per annun on It
would, perhaps, be more satisfactory to them aud
to the people, than to strive to pay it or hastily.
In an endeavoT to force things under the present
mode OF taxation, there is great danger or driving
caplta away from our manufacturing centres. me
landhOder has been exempted irO n taxes on his
land for State purposes, and the burden SHIFTED upon
the active, energetic, and enterprtslpg portions OF
the community who have always had their full
share to bear The farmer il at ease, and runs
risk: whilst the business man, merchant and manu-
1acturer are the motive power OF tile community,
upon which the farmer himself must, in great
measure, depend for realization OF his industry.
more liberal policy towards those engaged in neT-
camille manufacturing, railroad and mining pur-
suits should be adopted. Unless these inter
ests are fostered and kept in full operation all
classes Of the people will suffer. They the very
lifeblood of the State aud should not, in any way,
be chilled or mpeded, by over. burdenng them with
taxation for the immediate payment OF the entire
The foregoing recommendations in nv opiuion,
hp n lp n nyypl pn1
II adopted will, doubtless receive hearty re-
spOnse and endorsement from the people. rhe
tax payers demand that all their social, Industrial,
commercial and financial operations shall be relieved
from the burdens OF any mere taxation than may
is last above indicated, and to defray the frnga
expenses of the Government. Economy and reform
should no longer be advocated as glittering gene
ralltiCs, mere distractions, without meaning or
intent but as vital, living realities
Constitutional Convention.
-Four years experience as an executive
pounity ior careful observation upon tie tie
worn ngs Of our fundamental law and the leglsla-
tOn OF the state. This experience ts strongly i'm
pressed me that there should be thorough revision
of the ) ate Constitutions with such amendments as
the wisUUm OF a convention assembled for that pur-
pose would Undoubtedly suggest, ana an enlight-
tned publc sentiment demand.
The autE Ortty f I hOldiIg such convention is
found in the second section OF the nluth article Of
the Constitution, and is declared in these Words
THAT all power IS Inherent III the people, and all
free gore Tnnenis are founded on their authority,
and Instituted for their peace, safety, and happi-
have, AT all times au unaanabc aud indefeas0le
ight alter, reform or abolish their govern nent,
IN such manner as G1ey may think proper"
The last convention for this purpose was held in
1885. During the thirty.two years which have since
elapsed, sundry amendments have been made by
joi' resolutions of the General Assembly, and in
compliance with the tenth article OF the COnstitu-
ton were approved and ratified by maj Ilty OF the
qualified voters Of the State. The most important
were those oi 1880 making the ndges Of the courts
Slectiic; OF 1857, creating Sinking Fund, regu-
Iatng ne pubic debt al legislative districts; aud
or 1864, COnlerriDg the right OF suffrage upon
those engaged in the military service Of the
state or nation, aud imposing sundry restraints on
the power Of the Legislature. These amendments,
though Important aud valuable give an mcOngru-
ana sort of patchwOrR character to the COnSti-
tuun, ana are not consOnant with the requirements
This is D progressive period and our State has
outglOwn its fundamental law Inat law should,
Therefore, he made to keep pace with the ag4 in
which we live The existing Constitution inGluj-
ing the amendments OF 1851 and 1864, impose many
whole some restrictions on the power and jurisdiction
Of the legislature but experience has demonstrated
their lnadeduaCy to protect the people against the
evils intended 10 be remedied and especially those
Of corporate power, and of special and local legsa
show that the general laws for each session made
only about one hundred 'ges, whilst the local and
special legislation for the same period amount annu
ally 10 about thirteen hundred and hfty. The re-
sultiDg evils are manifold and aggravated; and pro-
| minent among the reasons and suggestions why a
remedy should be applied, respectfully submit the
| fOllOWlng:-
First. Different systems of laws for roads, bridges,
| schools elections, pOOr-hOuses, and many other
things, enacted for tha several COUNTESS town
SHIPS and bOrOughs, subjects which ought TO be
! regulated by general laws, operating uniformly
Second 1t is impossible for the citizens, judges of
the courts, or members OF the legal profession, 10
! acqunc OF retain an accurate knowledge OF the
| varying systems OF laws in their # tspeCtVe dis
tricls; and frequently on removal from one county
to another our people find themselves under almost
| entirely different codes.
! Third Practically, the whole theory Of our Con
| sututlOn ard Government IL subVerted and de-
stTOyed by the present system OF local enacements
| Representative government is based on the idea
that the laws shall be fremedby and be the result
! Of, the collective wisdom OF the peoples represent
| tariyes, But what are the actual facts? The minds
and efforts Of the members sare so wholly absorbed
by pTiyae ana local bills that IL is almost impossible
10 get general or public act considered or passed.
The special and local bills are usually drawn by the
! memher representing the locality, or by some one
IRON the district inte ested in the proposed law. By
what is called courtesy, IL is considered breach OF
etiquette for any member OF the Senate House tC
| mteItCre with or oppose merely private or lOca
| bill OF any other member. The re-
suit is, the bills are passed as originally pre-
pareo, without examination or comparison OF views
often crude and ILL., digest6d, aud without regard
| to constitutional requirements or sound public
| policy. Some Of the WO st of these hastY and badly
Executive inteTpOsitiOn; but in the nature Of the
case, The veto at best can only be made partia
reStl amt upon The evil and nothing can cradle att
it short Of cons iitutiOnal prohibition.
| Fourth. Special legisleliOn is the great and ian
pure lounddllOn al corruption, private speculatiOn
1t has become reproach to republican govern
ment, and is OF the most alarming evils OF the
times. JudicUus amendments to ths Constitution
would arrest and destroy the growing evil; and 1t II
the duty OF every patriotic citizen cooperate il
all lawful measures to effect desirable d cOnsum
mation. In the enactment OF laws n radical change
is demanded. Every bill presented for adoption
should be read, at least OPGe in full, and the yea
and nays be recorded on its hna passage.
Fifth, IL is important that the State Constitution
should be made to conform 10 the Constitution o
the United States as recently amended.
oh aaTifQ fa1 und 10 fNin oh