Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-06-19
Constitutional Reform.

1t is now decided that wo are 10
have an early opportunity for the re.
vision of our State constitution, and
to incorporate within the organic law
such improvements and safeguards as
experience has rendered necessary and
q prudent regard for the future die
tates. We began this great work
under favorable auspices. The peo-
pie had been prepared to vote upon
the question by an intelligent discus
sion, shared by the journals of both
parties and the leading minds of every
section, and their vote calling the con-
vention-very nearly unanimous-was
the fruit of careful reflection and de-
liberate Judgment based thereon. The
Legislature, too, in passing the bill to
provide for holding the convention,
rose above all partisan considerations,
and acted with wisdom and fairness.
As finally passed by the adoption of
the report Of the conference commit
tee of the two houses it is the matured
views Of tho best lawyers in the Sen.
ate Ita leading idea is the principle
of minority representation, which,
whatever may be said Of it in other
relations, is undoubtedly right in its
present application. The bill lprovides
that the convention shall consist of
one hundred and thirty.throe men,
bers; tweDty-eight to be elected at
large in the State; each ballot to con-
tain the names OF fourteen delegates,
and the twenty eight highest in votes
TO be declared elected. Six delegates
are to be elected at large in the city
of Philadelphia, each voter to vote for
three, the six receiving the highest
number of votes to be declared elected.
By this plan there will be thirty. -four
delegates elected at large. The re-
naming ninety.nine delegates to be
elected in the several Senatorial dis
tricts of the State, the apportion-
ment being three for each Senator,
each voter to vote for two, by which
the partisan minority in each district
will be afforded the opportunity TO
elect one delegate. The election of
delegates will take place at the Octo-
ber election, and the convention will
meet in the following month, Novem-
ber.
1t will thus be seen that the matter,
now In comprehensive shape, and fair
1y set on foot, has been under the most
favorable circumstances from the be-
ginning. What now remains to be
done is of greater Importance perhaps
than anything that has yet been ac-
complished, viz: the election of pure,
able, and disinterested men to serve
as delegates. Let us look for q moment
at the grave and responsible duties
Of the convention: The revision and
amendment of the constitution will be
almost equal to the creation of the
Commonwealth. While it is not pro.
posed to tear up root and branch the
principles established by our fathers,
we are to make such important changes
that q single error or mistake would
be fatal or dangerous, entailing long
list of evils, and eventually making
necessary another convention. We
are to conform the old to the new, TO
solve problems unknow to our fathers,
and to incorporate truths in govern
ment only recently discovered. The
work is one Of magnitude, which even
the ablest and best of men will ap-
proach with diffidence and distrust Of
themselves. 1t is also one of honor,
which, successfully achieved, will hand
the workers down to good and last.
ing fame, and of which the greatest
may be proud.
This assemblage imporatively de-.
mands our best men, those of high
ability and incorruptible integrity
The people, if not tho managers of
both parties, must see 10 it that only
such arc nominated and elected. Our
State is rich in the ripe and pure minds
that will be needed. We could name
a half dozen high. minded, practical
statesmen in nearly every county;l
men who have kept aloof from the
noisome atmosphere of corrupt poll.
tics, of enlarged experience, with sound
ideas of government and of the most
exalted private virtues. These are
the class OF men who must servo us in
the convention. Similar bodies which
have been convened in the State arc
classic from the scholastic attanments,
high qualities, and disinterested public
spirit Of their members. The results
Of their labors, held in grateful remem.
brance, have been the happiness, pros J
perity, and progress of the State.-
Frha txyant,y n,..ht IalosoXon A. l.