, 1873-04-21
THE Pennsylvania CONTRIBUTION.


THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION.
There WIS probably no State in tho Union
which nocdod tho example Of Illinois in remodel
ing it's Constitution to conform to tho advanced
principles Of government, and 10 restrain tho
tendency Of reckless legislation, 80 badly aB the
6tato Of Pennsylvania. Tic prcHent Constitu-
ton Of that stato 3atoa from 179G which tic
Constitutional Convention Of 1888 confronted
itBo1f with amending in a fow particulars. Tho
prcBcnt Constitutional Convention, which roas-
semblod lust week nfter short vacation, has
been In session since tho middle Of last Dece1n-
ber, and It is not probable TINT 1t will adjourn IN
til tho middle Of July. The time taken indicates
that tho deliberations Of tho Convention aro thor
ough. Tho manncr in which tho delegates wore
chosen secured convention Of moro than
ordinary ability, and ono singularly FREQ from
partisan bias. Twonty-oight delegates wero
elected from tho State at largo, and, as no ono
could voto for more than fourteen, tho Republi-
| cans and Liberals woro TINS fur equally repre-
aontcd, Tho remaining delegates wero choson
| according to the minority representation plan
OF voting, throo from each Senatorial District,
and giving every voter the privilege Of baltoting
| for two of the number. Tic result haB been
that tho Convention has Republican minority
of only five, and tho delegates, withoutd
Of party, arc generally opposed to tho ma
cbinory which has heretofore enabled tho Penn-
By}yania Legislature TO authorize 30 many frauds
and create 30 many monopo1ies in that State.
Tho Convention counts among its mombera sone
Of the nblost mon Of Pennsylvania including
Charles ". Buckalow, Jeremiah g. Black, George
". Woodward, William H. Meredith, Henry 9.
Carey, Theodore Cuylor, Lowia Q. Cassidy, ard
many others Of equal position and ability. The
whole country is Interested in tho work Of tic
Convention, rs 1t will exert potent influence,
as did tho constitutional Convention Of Illinois,
; In forcing upon the people Of othor States the
adoption OF means whereby they eau best pro-
tect themselves from political abusaa
The work Of tho Convention thus far indlcatet
that it will submit ono Of tile most comprohen
Hye md thorough constitutions TINT could bt
. framed in tho interests of tho pooplo. The ar
ticlo oil tho Legislature las alroady bean agreot
upon, mud 1t prohibits local special Legislation
AZ aunma.ily aa this class of legislation IL pro
, hibitod by tho Constitution of Illinois and th
list Of subtecta enumerated under tho prohlbi
| tory clauBo is oven moro comprehensive. Thu
: Legislature will hayo no powor whatever tt
B grant monopo]ies Or special psivilogos OF All.
kind. Tho loaning Of the credit Of til
r Btato Or Of county, city, or town governments
-. to any corporation, and stock subscriptions II
the Bame orc absolutely prohibited. Tie practlc
OF voting oxtra compensation to officials or con
0 tractors, which has boon fruitful source Of cor
t rupton, ia alao stopped Tho provisions in re
4 gard to railroala aro broad ana awooplng. Wit
= tho adoption of tho now Constitution, tho roig
Il OF tho ronnsslyania Company will come to al
l. end. There will he general railroal Inv, III
j. der which individuals or corporations may cot
y atr,ct railroad batweon any Two points IN til
8tato, and ohartorbrokorago will bo stopped fol
y over. Consolidation OF competing lines IL prt
j. hibltca nnler ponnlty Of forfeiture Of ehaSte
o No rairoul may engage In manufacturing {
% mining o1copt for its own ,1ao. Freight n'
" passenger rates mnat 10 uniform, md sliaerin
l. lpatous sgainnt connecting roads arc likewiF
10 forbidden, Tho oi.eors and atockl.oldorA
II railways ere not allowed to own freight linoa
1t transportation companion engaged In carryit
~ goods over thor rosds,--a most nsofnl prohl
X tio., and QUO that will do much toward faeliita
ID ing aud n|,eaponiug transportation Tho waite
"a !ng Of stock IL forbidden. Frao pusaaa ato II
3, to ho iRsuea; tue amount Of damngea for lnju