The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-01-01
sHE NEW PENAsYLvANIA COAsTI
EUrlOA.
A Summary Of It's CHIEF Provisions.
The leading points of the new constitution
of Pennsylvania are represented in the fol-

A Summary Of It's chief Provisions.
The leading points of the new constitution
Of Pennsylvania are represented in the fol-
lowing summary:
The limitations imposed on special lesis-
ton are such as to remoys one of the
most prolific sources Of corruption. The
legislator can NO longer be exposed to the
temptation of putting up the rights of his
constituents for sale to the highest bidder.
Municipalities and corporations will no long
er find themselves the subjects of unrestricted
plumber, nor can they purchase exemption OF
undue privileges BY thinly-veiled bribery.
Restricted to the consideration of general
laws, the Assembly will become : place Of
honor, to seat in which the best citizens
NAV be expected to aspire, while the wise
provisions against lobbying and hasty legis-
laiiOn, the Increase in the number of menu
bers, and the holding of biennial sessions,
will secure . more thoughtful consideration
of all subjects presented for action. While
there has been an honest difference Of opin-
ion on the subject of an elective judiciary,
all men have united in the wish to keep the
bench beyond the influence of politics. The
desirable result has been accomplished to .
greet extent BY prolonging the terms Of JUS
tees of the Supreme Court, and rendering
them ineligible for reelection. All extra
judicial functions have also been removed
from the lower courts.
The fee system which. in our large cities,
has been 90 prolific q source of oppression
on the people and of corruption in elections,
8 abolished, and fixed salaries are substituted
herefor.
Election laws are to be unifooa throughout
the Commonwealth, and no citizen is to be
disfranchised through reason of his ommis-
sion from any register OF voters. Election
officers are everywhere to be elected by the
people, while such regulations are framed
as shall conduce to the purity Of elections.
The libel Law is 60 changed that while the
private citizen will. as heretofore, enjoy
full protection against public Islander, NAL
feasance in Office and matters proper for
public information can be exposed, il done
without malice and after Investigation.
A board of pardons is created, whose pro-
ceedings are to open and public, thus shield
ing us from the scandals which have 60
gravely affected the politics and the admins
tration in the commonwealth.
A Limitation is imposed on the creation of
municipal debt which will serve asa pow
erful restraint upon corrupt expenditures OF
reckless improvitence.
The Legislature is empowered to exempt
from military duty those who have conscien-
tious scruples against bearing arms.
Appropriation Of public money for the
support of eeciarian schools ia forbidden,
while the labors of women ~ teachers are
recognized by rendering them eligible for
positions of control.
The details Of local administration are
separated as much as possible from general
politics by providing for separate municipal
elections.
A most needed restrain. is imposed on i'm
proper expenditures by allowing the Govern
or TO veto particular items in general appro-
priation bills, and requiring the votes of
two-thirds of all the members of both houses
10 overcome q veto.
The funds in the State treasury are guard
ed by the stringent regulations against
abuses,