Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-11-26
GEORGE B. GOODLANDER,
The Constitution.

fundamental instrument, but as th
time for its discussion is short, W
wish to place it before our readers a
elaboralely as possible, 80 that the,
may act understandingly in the prem
ises.
At the Beginning of the discussion
of tho draft Of tho now Constitution
we had little doubt that serious error
would be developed, and inclined TO
think that the Conven tion had taken
dangerous venture, in submitting it
work as whole; but SO far the objec
tions have all fallen as futile and pow
erless.
1t was first alleged that tho Con
vontion had transcended the limits O
its authority, in providing its owl
mode of taking and counting the vot,
on the ratification in Philadelphia
that what the Legislature had pre-,
scribcd on that subject mus. be
obeyed. But the doctrine that the
Legislature is above Convention
of the people, in tho matter or man.
her OF making fundamental law has
vanished into thin air. 1t is as if on
question of authority, the sovereign
people of the State were on the one
side, and one hundred and thirty.
three men, whom they had clothed
with little brief authority, about
other matters, were on the other
This absurd view of the power of the
Convention received its quietus at tho
hands of tho Pittsburgh Telegraph, a
Republican paper.
Next the Harrisburg Telegraph
raised the absurd cry that tho new
Constitution would revive the three
mill tax on real estate; but it could
establish nothing of the kind, and
succeeded only in drawing upon itself
the sharp ridicule of men aud news.
papers of all parties.
But again, it was objected that the
increase of the members of the Leg.
islature would require the erection of
n new State House. To our mind
this is tho smallest of all the small
objections that have been 80 far de.
veloped. The author of this should
have gone a step further and objected
to that part Of the new Constitution
which enjoins the Legislature to an
annual appropriation of not less than
a million of dollars to the Common
Schools, on the ground that it would
increase the schools and make it nc.
cessary to erect new school houses.
Whichever Constitution may stand,
n new State House will be required al
no remote date. If erected under the
new, it will be shaped for the accom-
of the Senate and the House;
il under the old it will probably pro-
vide for the third House, also. At all
events, the business of erecting new
Capitol is one in which the third
House would like 10 have part. Its
members have always shown them.
selves sharp on contracts.
We have heard of neighbor who
was about committing himself against
tho new Constitution on the ground
that it constituted women school di.
rectors; but he was promptly shown
that the Constitution did no such
thing that it only allowed the peo.
pie to do as they pleased on the sub
ect-that the old Constitution al
Owed the people to elect ignorant and
even drunken men school directors,
and the new Constitution would give
hem only the same right as to intelli-
gent women. 1t does not become the
riends of popular government to
of an amendment that On.
argos the rights of the people.
We have heard of another neigh
'or and of a newspaper, printed in
mother State, who were quite shocked |
1T that part Of the new Constitution
hat makes acknowledgment in "thc |
icing of q God and future state off
cwards and punisbments" qualifi.
alton for civil Office and these com.
claimants are in sad dilemma, for the
anne language is in both Constitu.
ions.
And again We observe that our old
riend, Eli X. Price, of Philadelphia,
lad become quite indignant because
he new Constitution allowed the city
If Philadelphia eight Senators out of
Dty; but when bo was reminded that
he old Constitution allowed only four
'ut of hirty-three, it is probable bis
Indignation commenced TO abate.
The commotion about the new Con.
'ii.ution all things considered, is not
greater than we should expect. Its
'doption will be matter of hard times
o some, who have been used TO good |
wing. There will be no longer need
or third House; a Ring tc ncircle
he public money; or smart men to
,ount up election returns all these
will be out of employment, and TO
hem, II docs look like hard times
head.
QUAcKEBy.-Public meetings are
icing held in many places through
'ut the State, wbereat the Governor