New-York tribune., 1873-12-19
PENNSYLVANIA REFORM.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.

pREN OVER SIX YEARS OLD TO BE EDUCATED
AT STATE ExpENsE--REsTRICTNE REGULATIONS
RESPECTING RAILROADS AND CANALS.
The following is synopsis OF the leading changes
effected by the provisions OF the new Constitution
of Pennsylvania. The preamble invokes the Divine
guidance. The first article is a declaration of the
rights of the people covering the essential points of
our free institutions Freedom Of the press is ex-
tended by declaring that in prosecutions relative to
public officials OF affairs there shall be no conviction
when the absence of malice negligence III pub
Gshipg the libel can be established before jury.
This, however, applies only criminal prosecutions
THE LEGISLATURE AND LEGISLATION.
In respect 70 the Legislature, members of the
Senate to be elected for four years instead OF
three and of the House for two years instead OF one
The regular sessions are TO be biennial instead OF
annual; no adjourned annual sessions are permitted
after the year 1875, but the Governor may convene
the two houses upon extraordinary occasions. and
the Senate alone when meeting of that body shall
be necessary for the transaction of Executive busl-
ness The Governor is further required to convene
the two houses upon proclamation 70 fill any vacany
of United States Senator. Whenever the Legisla-
ture shall be convened by the Governor the ses-
Eions shall be confined TO the transaction of
business expressly mentioned in the Executive
proclamation. The compensation of members shall
be fixed by law and shall not be increased during
choose a presiding officer, who shall perform
the duties of Lieutenant Governor when
necessary. The powers of each house
are more definitely expressed. and their sessions
more completely guarded against improper influence
than by the old Constitution. The Senate is TO con-
sst Of 80 members instead Of 81 TO be chosen from
single districts one-hah thereof every second year.
No county shall elect more than one-sixth of the
whole number For the House of Representatives,
Al . 60 10 ,AaI hvO
TO establish representative ratio, and each county
is to have least representative, and as many
additional representatives as il shall have ratios
Cities and counties containing more than 100000 in
habtants are to be divided into Representative dis
tricts but no district formed shall elect more
than four Representatives.
The article upon legislation is mostly new, and is
elaborate in its provisions Ii contains large body
of limitations upon the Legislature and regulations
for its action; they Of high Importance, and
will doubtless produce decided effect upon the
character of future legislation i'll this Common
wealth. Special and local legislation are largely
prohibited and minute and searching provisions are
established for the passage and approval of bills.
OF the IS sections of this article fully threefourths
contain new matter. and are well calculated to
elevate the chaIacter and secure the perfection of
future laws.
1nR EXECUTIVE BRANCH or GOVERNMENT.
The conspicuous changes made by the % sections
Of the Executive article the following l. An in
crease Of 5be Governors term from three TO four
years TO correspond with the change made in legis-
lative terms and sessions. @ The creation OF the
office of Lieutenant Governor. g. The substitution
of a Secretary of Internal Affairs and Superlntend
ent OF Public instruction for the Suryeyor-General
and SUPERINTENDENT of Common Schools, 4. That
the Governor Leutenant-GoFernOr, and Auditor
General shall not he eligible for a second term ..
stringent limitation upon the pardoning power. b.
requirement that the vote in each house 10 pass
bill over the Governors veto shall be twothitds of
all the members elected 10 each house. instead OF
two-thrds of those present. z. That the Governor
NAV veto particular items in appropriation bills and
approye others Lastly. that the CbiefJustice of
the Supreme Court shall preside upon the trial Of
any contested election OF Governor or Lieutenant
Governor
By the creation of the Office of Leutenaut-Gov-
@rnor majority decision will always he secured in
the Senate by casting vote when the Senate shall
he equally divided, and the prompt organization of
the Senate at the commencement OF sessions VIII
ALWAYS he secured. BY it, also, the office OF Gov
ernor will he ity filed in of casual vacancy
mud a high officer chosen by popular election, will
he provided for the consideration of applications for
pardon.
The provision requiring the recommendation OF
the Lieutenant-G Governor. Secretary OF the Common
wealth, Attorney General, and Secretary OF In
ternal Affairs, any three of them gwen after pub
lie notice and full hearing of the case to snthorHe
the Governor to pardon any criminal ofense, VIII
introduce most substantial and much needed re-
form in the practice of the government.
The changes of the Judiciary Article are not of
great importance. Appointed officers except Judges
and the Superintendent of Education may be re-
moved bv the appointing power and elective officers,
except Governor, LieutenantGovernor, and law
Judges may be removed by two-thirds Of the Senate
new oath of Office is provided more stringent than
the previous one, especially in the matter cf bribery
both before and after election or appointment.
SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS.
This article is of high Importance. The changes
made in it are the following d. As 10 the qnainca
tjons for voting. The word white" is dropped from
its former position in the Constitution and the right
10 vote is extended to every male citizen 2 years of
age who shall possess the following qualifications
70 wit: United States citizenship for one month,
residence in the election district for two months
instead of 10 days and, as in the old Constitution.
residence in the State for year, &C.. and pay
nnent of a State or county tax which .later must.
however. have been assessed two mouths and paid
one month before an election t2D General elections
.re fixed on the Tuesday next following the first
Monday of November, to correspond with the
date of Presidential and Congressional cleo
hons and municipal elections on the third
Tuesday in February. i3@ New securities
against fraudulent voting are provided.
BaIots are TO be numbered by election officers.
and permission is given 10 voters TO place their
names upon their tickets, that the vote can be
followed upon any judicial investigation and its IN
fegrity vindicated or fssity exposed.
Election officers will be sworn or affirmed not TO