New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-01
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4 Susamsry ct Il. Provision

/ Su,am.ry ct Il. prevssions.
The leading points Of the new constitution
Of Pennsylvania are presented in the follow
iny SUMMARY:
The linl.t'uions imposed on special Iegis.
lation are such as 10 rcn.nvu one OF tie most
Prolific sources Of corruption. The legislator
Can ID l'nner be exposed IT, the tenn ,,t;,tiDl
at putting up the rights al hi, cnu,tituenls
fer sale ~ the highest bidder. Municipai-
ties and corporations will 10 longer fiud
thc:msclve. the subjects ri unrcs; ricted plum
der, nor Cam they ;Egcii sc exemption or
un,iue privileges by thai, yelled bribery.
iiu.;Iicted 10 the Consideration Of general
laws. the ASSEMBLY viii becsI.c :, place of
honor to :. seat in which tho best citizens
may he expected TO as ire. whiio the wise
provisions against lobby ins a.l hastv Ieyis-
lation, the increase IN the number OF mem.
hers, and the holding of biennial sessions,
will ensure n nGre Thoughtful! Consideration
OF ;lli subjects presented luv ,ctipn.
hlle there has been All homes. difference.
o! opinion on the subject Of al elective Judi.
ciacF, all men have united it, the wish 70
keep the bench be,und the influence OF poll
tics. he desirable result has been ace, IN
piIshe'' u "a great extent IS prolrn-in. tn.
terms ii Justices az The Snpfelre Court and
rendering them ineligible for reelection. All
extra Judicial functions have also been re-
moved from the lower courts.
Ihs. lee system which, in 6uc large cities.
has been SO prolific source OF oppression on
tho people and corruption in elections, is
abolished, an feed salaries are substituted
therefor.
Election laws are to be uniform throughout
tho Commonwealth, and no citizen is t, be
Gisiranchaed through reason Of lis omission
rom any register CT voters. Election officers
are. everywhere TO DC elected ;,y lie people,
while such regulations are framed az shall
cOnuucc To tic putty vi elections.
Inc libel law Is SO changed that while the
private citizen will, as heretofore, cnjpy full
protection against public Islander. nlalieas-
ance IN Office and matters proper for public
information can DO exposed, il done without
malice and after proper investigation.
a Board of Partlons is created, whose pro-
ceedings are TO be open and public thus
shielding us from the scandals which have so
graveiy affected the politics and the admin
IstratIon OF Justice Of the Commonwealth.
y limitation; is imposed on thu creation of
municipal debt, Which Will serve as power
iul resultant upon corrupt expenditures or
reckless hnprovideucc.
L hc Legislature Is empowered to exempt
from military duty those who have ccuscien-
tious scruples against bearing arms.
Appropriation Of public money for the sup
port OF secLarau schools is forbidden, while
the iabors OF women as teachers arc rccog-
nized by rendering them eligible for positions
OF control.
The details OF local administration are
separated as .iuch as possible from general
politics by providing Tor separate municipal
elections.
4 much needed restraint is imposed on
improper Expenditures by allowing the Coy
ernor to veto particular items il. general APP.
prop!iation bills, and requiring the votes of
two thirds Of all The nle;uoers OF both Houses
to overcome a veto.
The fluids to The state treasury are guarded
by Stringent regulations against abuses.