Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-12-10
.fddress0fthe Executive Commit
tee Of the Constitutional
COmretsttOm.
A BRIEF but STRONG APPEAL!

'se tVPtc " t""oyttN"t"
The recent decision Of the Suprem
Court, enjoining the commissioner
appointed by the convention from di
rccting the election in the city of Phil
adelphia, makes it proper that thi
Executive Committee should expires
to tho people the extent and effect Q
that decision.
The convention was assembled b,
direct authority of the people and ey
ercised only such powers as they be
licved to be delegated to them and L
be necessary to the performance o
their work. Without, at this timc
entering upon the discussion of an,
controverted questions, and havin,
neither the right nor the disposition
to surrender any position taken b,
tho convention, the Committee ye
earnestly recommend prompt acquies
cencc in the decree Of tho court. II
avoid all misapprehension, wo deem
il proper 10 state explicitly that th'
decree affects only tho question o
officers by whom the election in Phil
adelphia will be conducted. The com
missioners named by tho convention
in the desire to secure in that city ar
entirely just and fair election, have
been superseded. The election will
therefore be held in Philadelphia, n,
in oil other parts Of the State, by tho
ordinary election officers, on Tuesday
the 10th day Of December inst.-tht
day fixed by the convention.
The committee respectfully and ear.
ncstly call attention to the fact that
the active opposition developed to the
work of the convention is mainly from
those whose business il is to trade in
politics and to profit by corruption
1t is evidently impracticable in short
address TO reply to all the misrepre.
sentations which interested parties
have made TO affect adversely the vote
upon the proposed constitution, But
we do distinctly affirm that the new
Constitution does not impose or rc-
store any tax upon real estate or other
species OF property; nor require the
legislature TO impose or restore any
tax whatever. 1t requires that all
taxes shall be uniform upon the same
class of subjects, and leaves the class-
fication to the unlimited discretion of
tho Legislature, simply prohibiting all
special exemptions upon property of
the same class, and all favoritism and
inequality in taxation--just and whole
some provisions in tho interest of the
people: which deserve place in every
fundamental law. The expenses of
will be largely reduced. =
The saving in salaries and in the cost
of printing, stationery and incidental
expenses; shortened legislative SEES
sions the prevention of reckless ap.
preparations Of public money and
the diminished expenditures resulting
will by decreasing the cost
of government largely reduce taxa.
tion. Tho present State capitol is
abundantly large to accommodate the
increased number Of representatives
and will require no additional expen.
iiture except for slight alterations of
arrangement and additional seats for
The limitations upon local,
special and corporate legislation are
only such as are necessary to prevent
.he abuses which experience has shown
TO have been most fruitful sources
'f corruption, and upon which the
obby has mainly subsistod.
The restrictions upon corporations
IRE reasonable and necessary for the
of the rights OF private cit.
zens. They correct the abuses, with
'ut limiting the efficiency or useful
ness, of corporate bodies. No State
Institution of charity is denied proper
lid from the treasury, and private
charities, not sectarian, can, by ade-
luate vote of the Legislature. receive
from the Common
wealth.
Pensions and gratuities for military
crvices and for tho support of the
Widows or orphans Of soldiers are ex.
,ressly authorized.
appropriations for denominational
'r sectarian Institutions are prohibit
ed as contrary to the spirit Of our in.
titutions.
The whole instrument has been
ramed with the most careful regard
o the best interest of the people; and
o them we earnestly appeal for the
ust vindication of their rights. The
opportunity is favorable to strengthen
he securities of property and OF lib.
rty, and the contest is becoming
Iaily more active and earnest between
hose who would preserve our institu-
ions in their purity and those who,
or personal and selfish reasons, seok
o prevent the reforms which tho peo-
,le demand.
w. Ii. ARMSTRONG, Chairman.
AMEs "; NJ NEwLIS, ! Secretaries
OHM II READ, 'e'o'"'''''
Harrisburg, December s, 1873.