New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-08
PENNSYLVANIA.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.

THE NEW CONoIIibftoN'
ADJOURNMENT OF THE CoNvENTios--THE NEW CON-
sTIrUTIOS sIGNED-MPORTAST CHANGES IN The
- FUNDAMENTAL LAW NUMEROUS ABUSES COR
The Constitutional Convention of Pennsyl-
vanis practically concluded It's lsbors Monday, aud
formally adjourned December Harrisburg. unless
convened sooner. The Constitution adopted win be
presented for the concurrence OF the people at special
election TO be held tho 81 day Of December Several
important changes, OF which the following Is sum
mary, have been made In nearly all the provisions Of
| the present Constitution .
Tho article on Legislature increases the Houses 70 not
less than members and makes the Senate consist OF
50; the number arporoued to Philadelphia Is 80 mem
bers and eight Senator's The sessions are to De oenna
Instead OF annual the term OF Senators VIII be four
years, and members OF the Houso two salary ana
mesge are be fxod by law, with the provision that
during the term for which the members are sitting tbey
shall not increase their salaries. In spportionnst he
House each county shall have member a least ana
an additional member for every Inhabtants The
cities are 10 separate Districts but no district snail
have more than four. REPRESENTATIVES, ono "n
portant provision requires every bill 10 DO reso
on three different days before It's nal passage an" on
tho latter tho vote is to be taken by yeas ana
NAYS which are to be recorded on the Journal ana
majority NJ ALI thu members are uirsd,to vote the
final Special local legislation ia 80 restrieted
IA to prevent the abuses which have heretofore oc
CURED Any local special bills NOT covered by certain
to be advertised for at least W
days prior to introduction IN tho locality whero
they arc to take effect. t... ...'
In regard to contracts for providing the Legislature
with stationery &c. 10 ts provided that the contract
shs be awarded to the lowest bidder and that no mem
Der shalt be directly Indirectly Interested In sucn con-
tract The contracts are TO DO spprovedby the Audtor
General. State Treasurer. Governor. an1 Lieutenant
Governor Appropriation bills are to embrace notnn9
txa nffuQI QU
and Judiciary Departments interest on public debt ana
public school fund All other appropriations are to be
made by special bills. ..H
Executors, administrators and guardians are forbid
den trust funds In bonds or stocks OF any pr
vate corporation. t'
The article relative to the Executive branch OF the
State Government increases the term OF the Governor
from three to four years and creates the ONCE OF LEV
and shall he President OF the Senate The article pro
vides for the appointment OF Board OF Pardons con
OF tho Commonwealth Aforementioned, and Secretary
OF Internal Affairs. One of the most important previ-
sons which allows the Governor to veto any Item
in appropriation bill ami approve the rest OF w. me
Secretary Of Affairs , NIL ss9 an sSrT the OF sst
Treasurer two years Tho AuditorGehera anu nt
terms-an application of the " one-term" principle.
Tho article regulating the Judiciary increases the
Judges of the Supreme Court from five to seven whose
term Of office is TO be instead Of IS years They are
not eligible for reelection. separate judicial district
principle OF minority representation Is adopted in the
election OF Judges Of the Supreme Court being directed
that whenever judges OF the Supreme Court are 10
for the term OF service each voter shall
vote for only and when three are TO De chosen ne
shall for than two. This article further
provides that convictions for homicide and other crimes
defined by law NAV be removed 20 the Supreme Court
for review Judges are required to audit and settle
decedents accounts free OF charge. Persons may "
agreement dispense with trial by jury 10 civil cases. and
submit the same for the decision Of the court
Important changes are made In regard TO inc ume ior
to the first Monday in Noyember Local elections
which the city. ward borough. and township officers
are to be elected. Each voter must have resided at
therein. aud in the of foreigners they must be
ss gpsq s sH for All GnR %f %
"a that every ballot shall be numbered ana recorded on
If Of % eS 81 the &c
courts including that of electors for President and Vice
The article on Taxation and Finance requires that all
taxation shall be uniform upon the same class OF sub
laws. IL provides that the Legislature shall continue
and maintain the sinking fund, pay the interest Of the
than s25OOOO prohibits the the sinking fund
for other purpose. It declares making use of the
Der OF the General Assembly criminal ofense.
The article respecting Railroads and Canals authorizes
pose of constructing and operating railroad or canal
and canal companies from making any undue or IN
reasonable discrimination In freight charges and limits
not exceeding the charge distant station 1t
also prohibits the consolidation of railroads aud canals
allow any company doing the business OF a common
carrier to engage IN any other business or to hold or
sna W ssppy ssa ss2 SSaHy
and individuals free passes shall be granted except
to officers and employees OF such company, and no pas
their without the of the local authorities
The Constitution further directs that the Legsa
al.u1lf. tnfu u0h andA nf