The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-11-12
Gae 9ailg Atgns.
Wednesday, November u, 1878.
m. p,unsylvanin Constitution.

The Pennsylvania CONSTITUTION.
The new Constitution for Pennsylvania /
TO be submitted to the people ut a special
election on the 10th of December, proposes
some very radical changes. The Conven-
ton which perfected 1t, closing its sessions
last Monday, has performed its work con
scientously and faithfully, and has en-
deavored to produce an instrument in
which the rights and liberties of the peo-
pie shall be carefully guarded, and the
most glaring abuses of the old system rem
edied. The most important provisions are /
those which aim 70 prevent special and To- |
cal legistion, those which are directed |
against the growth of great monopolies, |
aud the changes In elections, official ten. |
ure, oaths Of Office, &C., Intended TO pre-. !
vent political corruption. 1t is possible |
that some Of the prohibitory clauses in the |
act will be found upon trial to be too
sweeping in their operation and 10 defeat
themselves in consequence, but there is no
doubt they express public sentiment upon
the subjects treated The provisions of
the article respecting Railroads aud Canals,
for instance, cover ground never before
touched In an organic act, going largely
into details in regulating freight charges,
prohibiting the acquisition of lands not
necessary TO the business of common
carrier, forbidding free passes requiring
that no officer Of railroad or canal com-
pany shall fur nish materialsor supplies for
such company, &c.-provisions Of a speci-
hc character which have not heretofore
been Incorporated in the fundamental law.
That they are intended to furnish rene
dies for existing abuses cannot be denied,
aud they are doubtless demanded by pop
ular sentiment Whether or not they will
prove practical and answer the expecta-
tions Of the authors is a question, the solu
ton of which will be watched with inter
est by other States.
The change in the time of holding cleo
tons from October TO November, so that
in Presidential year the whole force OF
both parties and all the machinery of cor
ruption and fraud shall not be brought tc
bear upon the State in October, in order
TO secure its prestige and effect upon the
general election the following mouth is
wise one. SO also are the provisions in
creasing the number of Senators anC
members of tie House-fxing salary anC
mileage and torbiddng their increase dur
ing the term for which members are sit
ting, and making the sessions Of the Leg
islature biennial Instead of annual Thes
changes are all IN the interest Of pure poll
tics and less legislation. The limitation
upon special aud local legislation, much O
which is interdicted absolutely, and tn
rest so restricted rs 10 prevent the recur
renee Of the most slaring abuses, will hay
an excellent effect In abolshing the lobb
nuisance aud removing fruitful source
corruption and crime. Biennial session
Of the Legislature aud prohibition of spt
cial legislation will do more for the exit
patton of the lobby than all the laws thu
could be passed upon the subject.
A blow ut hasty and illcOnsidered legi
lation is struck in the article which r
duires every bill 20 b. read on three diffe
ent days before its final passage the vo
10 be taken on the last by yeas and nay
to he recorded on the journal, and maid
ity-not OF a quorum, but Of all the mer
bers, 10 be required for its passage. Owe
legislation aud hasty legisslatiOn are 1
banc OF the country. This provision oug
10 be effective against both Ii would
well if every State had just such a cons
tutional provision. Legislatures would
more likely 20 understand what they a
about and il would not be SO easy b "p
through mischievOus enactments 7
changes in the article regulating the j
dietary continue the elective system
increase the term Of the Supreme COu
Judges 10 twenty one instead of fife
years, do away VITA the aldermanic syste
in Philadelphia aud under certain con,
tons, provide for minority represcntati
in the vote. The pardonng power, viii
has been so shamefully abused for polite
purposes, is vested in Board Of Pardon
consisting OF the Governor aud four Sta
officers.
An experiment which, if the Constit
Il l.. i L
with more interest than perhaps any ct
er, is that in relation b the suffrage,
the regulation Of which several reforl
are proposed, this one being to prove
stuihng balot-boxes To do this it is
quired that bOllOts be numbered in {
order in which they are received, and {
number recorded opposite the name Of {
elcctor casting the same Each elect
has the right, in addition. To write
name On the back OF his ballot OF have
written thereon for him. 1t is provide
also, that whosoeyer shall attempt 70
hucnce an elector by corrupt means sh
himself forfeit the right Of suffrage a
also, that any candidate who may be gu
ut fraud on the election law shall be II
ever disqualified from any Office of trust
profit. The practical operation of such
provision will have an interest for hOnl
citizens who have for a long time view
with alarm the corruptions Of the ball
box
The instrument as a whole is worthy [
support Of good and honest men Of all p
ties. In many Of its features it Is expe
mental. hut its object 10 every case see
10 be 10 remedy abuses and establish i
provements. IL does not meet the vie
ofthe political rings, but it is in the int
est Of good government and ought to