Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-01-11

Der representing the locality or BY SON
one from the district interested In the pre-
posed law. By what is called courteey
it is considered breach Of etiquette ia
any member of the Senate or House I
interfere with or oppose merely privat
or local bill Of any other member. Th
result is. the bills are passed as original,
prepared, without examination or com
pari.on of views-often crude and lid
gested. and without regard to constitu
tional requirements, or sound public pol
lev. Some of the worst of these haet,
and badly considered enactmen.s are a,
rested every year by Executive inter
position; but in the nature Of the case
the vote at best can only be made par
tial RESTRAINT upon the evil; and no,hinl
can eradicate it short of constitutions
prohibition.
4. Special Legislation is the great ant
impure fourtain of corruption, prirat
speculations, and public wrongs. 1t ha
become areproaeh to republican govern
ment, and is one of the most alarming
evil. of the times. Judicious amend
ments to the Constitution would ares
and destroy the growing evil; and it il
the duty of every patriotic citizen to CO
operate in all lawful measures to effect se
desirable contamination. In the enact
ment of laws a radical change is demand
ed. Every bill presented for adoption
should be read, at least once in full, and
the yeas and nays be recorded on its
final passage.
S. 1t is important that the State Con-
stitutiou should be made to conform to
the Constitution of the United States as
recently amended.
6. The subject of minority representa-
tion is now much agi,ated, and is receiv-
ing large share of consideration among
thoughtful and considerate men. 1t en-
braces problems of great political impor.
tance, and its manifest justice commends
it to the public favor. Whilst some of
the objects it proposes might be obtained
by legislative enactment.. the general
principles involved are so elementary and
radical, they should, if adopted, be in
corporated into the fundamental law.
Z. The members of the General As
sembly should be increased in number.
S. There should be a fundamental limi-
tatiou to the power, of corporations.
9. There is absolute necessity for great
er security for the public funds and for
their proper distribution.
10. The State Treasurer, Superinten-
dent of Common Schools, and Lieuten-
ant Governor, the latter to preside over
the Senate, and perform the duties of
Governor, IN case Of his absence. sick
ness, or death, should be elected by the
people. The Attorney General, Secre-
ary of the State. and the Adju.ant Cen
.ral should, for obvious reasons. continue
% be appointed by the Governor.
IL. The day for holding the annual
elections could, with great propriety. be
hanged from the second Tuesday in
october to the came day in November.
N which nearly all the surrounding
States now hold theirs. This would dis.
'ense with one election every fourth
'ear, and prevent invasion from other
states for the purpose of interfering with
ur elections. as the citizens of each
tate would be occupied with their own.
he season, too, would be more eatisfac.
Dry to the people of the agricultural dis.
,icts, as it would not interfere with the
arvesting of their corn and other sum.
Ter productions.
The necessity for constitutional reform
appreciated and Admitted by all who
ave reflected upon the subject. and
'ithout distinction of party the press has
cen out spoken, and ha. almost unani-
,ously sanctioned the calling, at an early
ay, Of q constitutional convention.
For these reasons. and many others
qually important which might be enum-
rated l earnestly recommend that the
legislature make provision for couven-
on to thoroughly revise and amend the
of the State.
The subjects of the revision Of the
ivll Code" and "Writs of Error in Grim
'al Cases" We pass over for the present.
APpoRrIoNMENr.
The important duty devolves upon
ou to apportlon, IN accordance with the
st census, the representation to the
eneral Assembly and to Congress-
his will be among the most laborious
I'd difficult works of the session. In
, performance. it is presumed and trust
that you will be guided and governed
? a strict sense of justice and impartial
? to all parties and to every district in
e State, so that no well-fouuded reason
given for complaint or censure.
What is said of the "Common Schools
e will publish hereafter. The Soldiers
rphans' Schools are represented to be in
satisfactory condition. and are thought
reflect great credit upon the State.