The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-01-14
ON account of interest, by reason of
4, the rapid decrease of the public debt,

lions never contemplated by the or
ipinal friends of the measure. As
an illustration, it is simply necessary
to say, that the revenues flowing 90
this fund were last year over ," Sai. tn tne
entire income Of the State, OF So'ooo,-
600, while only 81, 500 ooV were heeu-
ed to pay the interest on the ueol-
In the meantime, the annual reve-
nues allotted Cor general purposes
have been less than the amount OF
the annual appropriations OF the Leg
islature, and the Legislature never
having made provisions for the dit
ference by a reconstruction OF the
it became necessary for the
Treasurer to pay the DEFICIENCIES
of appropriations out OF the funds
properly due TO the sinking fund or
suspend payment. This condition of
affairs placed the Sinking Fund Com
missioners in an anomalous position,
from which it is manifestly the duty
of the Legislature to relieve them.
THE CENTENNIAL.
The progress of the work of pTepa-
rations for the Centennial is realiz-
ing fully the expectations of our peo-
pie. The distinguished gentlemen
charged with the details of this vast
undertaking are striving zealously,
with great intelligence and industry,
to perfect all the arrangements IN a
manner commensurate with the I'M
portant and conspicuous position our
Republic occupies among the nations
of the earth. A becoming regard for
the dignity and honor of the country,
we can hope, will now induce the
general government, and all the
States, to extend to the commission
such material aid as will secure this
enterprise from every possibility OF
failure. The city Of Philadelphia,
whose generosity, in different ways,
in behalf of the Centennial, has elici-
ted commendation from all quarters,
ceded to the Commission an eligabie
site in the midst of her beautiful
park, whcreon the proposed buildings
for the exhibition, the plans of which
have been adopted, are to be erected.
This site was formerly transferred
and dedicated to its special uses on
the 4th of July last, ia the pres
ence of a large coucourse of citizens.
Upon that occasion proclamation of
the President was made, wherein
the celebration and exhibition were
commended to the people OF the
United States, and q cordial invita-
ton given to all nations who may be
pleased to take part therein.
With this act the project became
a national one, and cooperation
was invited and expected from the
whole nation and it is a pleasure
to observe that the different States
ald Territories are earnestly moving
with a view to such contributions as
will place the celebration not only
upon n sound financial basis, but
make it a successful exhibition of
their various resources and indus
tries. To stamp the Centennial, how
ever, with the character of q national
enterprise, it must receive assistance
direct and substantial from the ma
tional government. Congress must
set the seal of its appreciation upon
the work of the Commission, and
manifest not only an interest in this
great undertaking, but a determina-
ton that in its proportions and
grandure the American Exposition
shall eclipse all those which have
preceded it in Europe, as the devel-
opment of our resources, the eXpan-
sion of our grand railway system,
and the diversified employment of
the arts and sciences in all the av-
enues of our industry surpass those
of the old world.
Pennsylvania must not neglect
this opportunity for the display of
her rich, varied and ineXhaustible
products, nor relax her efforts to res
cue the exhibition from every mis-
chance to which difference or distrust
may expose it. 1t is true her con
tributions have been large, but she
must not forget that the nation has
honored her people By des-
ignating her metropolis as the place
Cor the proposed celebration, and she
must show by renewed exertions
that she appreciates the distinction.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
Pursuant TO an act of the General
Assembly, approved June 9, A. d.
1871, the peoDle by large majority
voted in favor of calling a Conven-
ton to amend the Constitution of
this Commonwealth, and the Gcncr-
al Assembly, by an act approved
April II, 1872, provided for the
calling of the same, and in compli- /.
ance with its provisions the delegates
elected thereto assembled at the |
the State capital, at Harrisburg, on
the second Tuesday of November, /
1872, and adjourned sine die on Sat |
nrday, December 27, 1873. The /
adopted by the Con- !
rention was submitted to the quail
led electors of the Commonwealth. 1
,n the third Tuesday of December.
1873, and by certificate of the said |
on file in the Office OF
he Secretary of this Commonwealth
t appears 1886 votes were given
or, and 109,19S against the new
In the schedule Of the new Con-
it is provided that it shall
axe effect on the first day of Janu-
nv, 1874. In the act calling the
Convention it is provided that the
eturns of the votes cast for and
gainst the new Constitution "shall
'e opened, counted and published as
he returns for Governor are now bv /
aw counted and published" and
vhen so ascertained and certified,
the Governor shall declare by proc
the result of the election"
he Constitution of 1888, as well
S the new Constitution, provides
that the returns of every election
Or Governor shall be sealed up and
transmitted to the seat of govern
nent, directed to the President of
be Senate, who shall open and pub
sh them in presence of the members
4 both Houses of the Genera. As I