Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-12-11
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND
SPECIAL LEGISLATION.


prohibiting the Legislature from passing
local or special laws on the various sub
jrcts therein enumerated. deserves at the
hands of that body careful consideration
The adoption Of such an amendment
would be productive of much good TO 'he
State. The Limitation of legislative
power in that direction would remedy
one of the most pernicious evils which
threaten the good order and prosperity Of
our people aud jeopardize the best inter
csts of our State 1t would shorten the
sessions of the Legislature, and thus de-,
crease Tie expenses of the same and as
it would greatly diminish the number OF
ILLS. would insure more careful consider.
atiOu of necessary legislation, and secure
the enaatmeut cf better, wiser and mo e
wholesome laws.
Uniformity and stability in our laws
are what our people need and desire -
They should as far as possible be appli
c7blr 10 every citizen of our Common
wealth and indeed we doubt if any good
reason can be shown why any law should
remain on tie statute books that does
nor equally apply to every section As
well as every citizen of the State. We
know there are many reason urged, and
arguments made use of to show that such
is not the case, and in favor of special
legislation, some of which would seem to
have some weight, such as the more rap
id Developments of the resources and
greater development of one section than
another. But nowhere throughout our
entire borders does there such inequai-
ties exist but hat the advantages de
rived from special legislation are largely
counterbalanced by the evils which ho~
thereirom. As it is, the greater part OF
the time of the Legislature is taken up in
the passage of local, pirate, or in other
words, special bills.
There lie We venture to cay not one
county, snd no very great number of
townships in the State but what have
had some special Legislation. and in some
particular are governed by laws different
from thtse which surround them To
illustrate. citizen Of one county knows
what the laws in regard to roads or high
ways a!e in the county in hich he
lives he moves into an adjoining coun-
ty, aud here he finds different law
He iamIiiarizes himself with it. In a
few years he may deem it proper to again
change his place Of residence. lie moves
to township in the same county. and
there applies lis knowledge of The laws
OF highways, aud to bis astouishment
fluids that he has been violating the law.
The ,me might tie said of special law or
laws on many other subjects Of equally
vital importance to the citizen.
Now what are the advantages derived
from such lrgislation Surely they can
be but little.
The ease and facility with which such
legislation has been procured has ten
dency to lessen the respect and regard
fnr the law 1t is and has been the fruit
ful source Of contention and litigation.
1t is often procured by the contrivance
and influence of few individuals who |
are TO be specify benefited thereby,
without the knowledge of, and against
The maj lrity of the citizens of the county
township or district to be affected there
by This should not be and the surcst
= az to prevent it is to take away the
power to do it. 1t would not do to say
he people ought TO trust their represen-
atives. They Lave been deceived too
often. In this our own county is no,
wanting in instances.
Another desirable object would be ac-
.omplished The Captoi would be rid
# the hordes Of professional 'borers'
iuring the session of the legislature.
There would be less corruption among
he members. Me.cenary and bad men
would not seek to Gil the position of leg
5 lators, because the chances to make
noney would be removed. 1t is this {
ind of legislation that pays. Why is it
bat Hen without education and destitute
f honor-toially unfit to fill the posi-
ion, men ignorent Of and with no desire t
D learn how the votes they cast in the
legislature effect existing law and the I
eneral good-strive so vigorously to be- ,
1me l. sgislators, and spend more money ,
procure their election than their salary E
mount. to, while at the same time their &
penses while at Harrisburg amount TO
much more. Is is for the honor sup 2
osed to be attached to the position /
ot at all 1t is not their ambition to
useful bu. their avarice that prompts t
e effort Let us have such amendment b
, the constitution that will eradicate "a
ia evil If the convention can success | o