Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-11-12
Synopsis Of the New Constitution,

Synopsis Of the New Constitution,
The Constitutional Convention has
adjourned, to meet at Harrisburg. on
the 9th day of December next, (un.
less sooner convened by the President
of that body,) for the purpose of re.
ceiving the returns and counting the
votes. The election occurs on the
third Tuesday of d ecember. We
herewith present our readers with n
synopsis of the new instrument:
ARTICLE ON LEGISLATURE.
The House will bc increased 10 not
less than 200 members, and tho Sen.
ate will contain 50-Philadelphia's
representation being 3S members and
8 Scnntors. The sessions are to be
biennial instead of annual: term of
Senators will be four years, and the
members of the House two. Salary
and mileage 10 be fixed by law, with
the provision that during tho term
for which the members are sitting
they shall not increase their salaries
In apportioning the House each coun.
ty shall have one member at least, and
an additional member for every H..
500 Inhabitants. The cities are to
have separate districts, but no district
shall lave more than four representa-
tives. 1g flfr
One important provision requires
every bill to be read on three differ
ent days before it's final passage, and
on tho lattor the vote is 10 be taken
by yeas and nays, which are to bc re-
corded on the journal, and majority
of oil the members are required to
vote on the final passage OF the bill.
Section seven prohibits special or
local legislation in all the cases which
heretofore appeared Objectionable
Any local or spocinl bills not covered
by this prohibition are required to DO
advertised for at least thirty days pri-
or to their introduction in the locality
where they are to take effect.
Section twelve relates TO contracts
for providing the Legislature with
stationary, &c. 1t provides that the
contract shall be awarded TO the low
est bidder, and that no member shall
be directly or indirectly interested in
such contract. The contracts are TO
be approved by the Auditor General,
State Treasurer, Governor and Lieu
tenant Governor. Appropriation bills
are to embrace nothing but the ordi.
nary expenses of tho Executive, Leg.
islative and Judiciary Departments,
interest on public debt, and public
school fund. All other appropria-
tions are to bo made by special
bills.
Section nineteen prohibits invest
monts of trust funds by executors,
administrators and guardians in bonds
and stocks OF any private corporation
and such acts now existing arc avoid
able
The above are among the promi-
nent changes Of tho article on legisla-
lion.
TnE EXECUTIVE.
This article provides for the incleas-
ing Of the term OF ofiico Of the Gov
ernor from three to four years, and
also for the election Of q Lieutenant
Governor, who shall be President of
the Senate. The article provides for
the appointment of Board of Par.
dons, consisting Of the Governor
Lieutenant Govern,r and Secretary
of the Commonwealth, Attorney Con
eral and Secretary of Internal fairs.
(This latter officer takes the place Of
that Of the present Surveyor General,
whose Office is abolished.)
One Of the most important provis-
ions ia that which allows the Governor
to veto any item in any appropriation
and approve the balance. Of the bill.
The Secretary Of Internal Affairs
will serve a term OF four years, Audi
tor General three years and State
Treasurer two years. frurrn II /
Auditor General and State 1'reasur.
or TO be incapacitated from holding the
same Office for two consecutive terms.
THE JUDICIARY.
The Supreme Court will be increas-
cd from five to seven judges, whose
term of Office will DO twcnty-one in
stead Of fifteen years. They are hot
eligible for reelection.
Sections five and six relate to Phil
adelpbia and Allegheny county courts
Provisions are made that nll cases
Of felonious homicide and and other
matters provided for by law
may bc removed 10 the Supreme
court for review.
Another provides that parties, by
agreement filed, may in any civil case
dispense with trla by jury, and sub
nit tho same for the decision of the
court .ftisGltti8 ft fA
The most important provision in
this article is that which allows a sep
lrato judicial district for every forty |
LhouMnd Inhabitants. Tho judges
are required to audit and settle ad-
and decedents accounts,
FREQ Of cost TO the parties.