The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-10-24
Constitutional Reform in PennsyIva-
mia.

The overwhelming vote by which
the people of Pennsylvania have de-
clared in favor of convention for the
revision of the State Constitution, is
warmly commended by the New York
Tribune, which makes a number of
well considered suggestions concerning
the subject. These are, briefly, that
party spirit should as far as possible
be kept out of the convention, to which
end the election of delegates should
take place net later than the first of
May, the convention meeting early in
June; spending month in laying out
the work and distributing 1t among the
appropriate committees, and then ad-
journing until after the Presidential
election, when the waves of party spir-
it will have begun to subside.
The great advance in population
since the present representation was
fixed, renders it every way desirable
that the membership of both branches
should be considerably increased, and
it is also shown by experience that a
numerous body is less readily corrupt.
cd than a scanty one. Whatever rep
resentation may be fixed upon should
consist of an odd number, that legisla-
ton may not be blocked to tie. The
cumulative system should also be al
lowed fair trial, the State being di-
vided into a certain number of Senate
and of Assembly districts, each enti-
tied to choose three members, and each
legal voter being authorized to comu-
late his vote as he thinks proper; Civ
ing three TO one candidate, or two for
one and one for another, or dividing
them equally between the three, as he
shall elect. Under this system ma.
jority of the voters could always elect
a majority of the representatives. while
the minority would make sure of their
proportion as we'll. There are, for in
stance, eight thousand Republicans in
Berks county, yet they are not repre-
sented, while the fifteen thousand
Democrats Of Allegheny county are
under the present system equally
gagged and fettered. Every voter is
entitled to voice in framing the laws
under which he lives.
To prevent venality and corruption
in office, the acceptance of fees or
perquisites, other than in payment of
legal salary, by any person holding
Office under the laws of the State,
should be treated as felony, punishable
by five years imprisonment, or by a
fine not exceeding five thousand dol
lars, or both, In the discretion Of the
Court; while any person offering an
accepted bribe should be proceeded
against for the same crime and punish
ed in a similar manner. Let provision
be made for permitting persons charged
with offering or receiving bribes, to
testify in their own behalf in any civil
or criminal prosecution therefor. Make
it obligatory on the Governor of the
State to remove any District Attorney
who, after being heard in his own de-
fense, shall be proved to have neglect
ed to prosecute violations of the above
provisions, and charge to the State
whatever expenses are incurerd by
any county in investigating and
prosecuting such cases.
Provisions similar to these were en-
bodied in the New York constitution,
voted down by the Democracy in 1867.
One can readily see how its adoption
would have rendered the rule and the
robberies Of the Ring impossible. We
also second the Tribune'S appeal that
the ablest, wisest and purest men of
the State be chosen as delegates, without
regard to politics. The question is
one which affects the homo welfare OF
all the people of the State, and should
be dealt with in thoroughly non-par-
tisan, comprehensive and dispassionate
manner.-Pittsbltrgh Commercial.
A Disappointed Party.