The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1871-03-23
Constitutional Reform Defented.

SO ii seems that the Constitutional
Convention is killed by the Democrats
10 tic Legislature. We never entirely
ceased to doubt the representations Of
the Democracy, tha. their party dc.
sired constitutional convention to
frame, q new constitution aud correct
the many and nagrant abuses which
our present imperfect ono has allowed
TO creep into our Legislature aud into
politics. But they seemed to be so
general and so sincere, before the
meeting OF the Legislature. that all
classes were inclined to believe that
this term OF the Legislature would not
be allowed to pass without giving the
people chance to express their seut-
uents by voting on the question and
electing delegates TO convention. -
There is no longer any doubt us to
what the Democratic majority in tho
Senate have resolved to do. Their
expressions in favor of convention
were merely for political effect they
were not sincere, they were not houes'
Aud since that is so we are glad that
they have not left tho question as to
what they intended TO do doubtful
The Republican members ofthe House
promptly reported and passed bill
which was fought at every step of its
passage by the Democrats. Taken as
a whole it was a reasonably good bill,
and under its provisions the best and
ablest mon of both parties might have
been convened to deliberate upon and
frame n constitution which would have
been approved by the people. I,
would not have given either party
any grea, advantage over the other in
the convention, but Of course il can 60
no further than the Senate. where il
falls into the hands Of the Democrats
But not satisfied with this record, they
refuse TO allow tho passage Of The
Senate bill. prepared by the abcs,
Democrat in that body and in this
case they Cannot hide under the film sy
prctext that it gives the Republicans
an unfair advantage. More than q
month ago Mr.. BuckaIew reported a
bill which, coming rs it docs from n
Democratic politician, is guarantee
that it is not unfair TO the Democracy
Since II was reported it has not been
heard from. or course, if they desire
to do so, they could at any time pas.
the bill through the Senate. but they
do not desire to do anything of thi,
kind. They are afraid if they did
that the Republicans of the House
might he willing to substitute it fol
the House bill and pass it. We pre-
dictcd at the time the bill was re.
I ported, that it wonld never pass the
Senate unless the Roprblicans Joined
with Mr. Buckalew and passed i, ovc,
the Democrats But we doubt il they
will have n chance to do even that
The BuckaIew bill will not be heard o.
again during tho session. But WI
hope the people will not forget, when
ihey hear Democrats charging the de-
feat Of tho constitutional amendment
upon tho Republican party, as they
surely will, that :he Democrats Of the
Legislature not only defeated the
House bill, but refused to pass enc in
the Senate. Let them remember tha,
the shameful legislation, the corrup
ion aud fraud that aro rampant in
the State to-day, and arc dragging il
down, are supported and sustained
by the Democracy and not by the Re.
putlicaps.-Ftd"kiin RCPository.