Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-02-17

i Ana ne look thht Image 10 ueaNen win nun.
SO fondly think when my task is ended,
And the longed-ior rest shall my brow oniod.
ilo will meet me fret on the hills Of Eden,
And l shall be fair MS In days OF old.
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REPORT OF THE CONSTTTU-
TIONAL COMMISSION
TO the Honorable the Senate and House
Of Representatives. ofthe State of Penn
sylrdna in General assembly met
The commission appointed by the
Governor under the act of the l4th Of
May, A. D. 1874, entitled "An act to
create commission toprepare amend
ments to the Constitution Of this Com
monwealth,' - respectfully beg leave to
report:
! That the commission was organized
in pursuance of the said act by elect
ing Daniel Agnew the chairman and
James J. Chamberlain, Esq, of Har-
risburg, the clerk Of the commission.
In executing the duty imposed by
the act, il has not been deemed wise
or necessary to recommend much al
teration of thencw Constitution. The
work of the convention which framed
it was extensive and thorough pre-
senting in fact new frame of govern
ment In a work of such magnitude,
| itwould be expected some errors would
creep in, and omissions be unnotlced; (;
and yet careful examination has dis
closed but few. AS whole it CON
tains valuable reforms, which have
been sanctioned by an overwhelming
majority of the people. There are
features upon which differences of
opinion exist, but which having been
settled by popular vote, at least for
the present, it is thought wise to be
permitted to remain untouched, until
time and experience shall have eXhibi-
ted their utility or inutility.
With the single exception of the ju-
dietary article the least unanimous in
its adoption by the convention, we
have confined our revision to the
removal of Inconsistencies and pat
ent defects, and to changes in
few provisions which seem to be
really necessary; our object being
rather to perfect than to change, thus
assisting to make the instrument CON
form to the true spirit and intent of
the body which proposed it,
The second and third article relat-
ting to the legislature and Legislation,
and containing the most valuable re-
forms, we have touched lightly, and
only for the purpose ofperfecting them.
We propose the fOliowing amend
ments, and we have added in each in
stance, by way Of explanation, our
reasons more or less at large.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS,
Article H. Section H. Add to the
end of the section the following "Nor
shall member of either House be per-
mitted to resign pending trial by
the House of an inqHiry into his con
duct, which may lead to his expulsion
The section as amended will then
read Each House shall have power
to determine the rules of its proceed
ings, anG punish its member or other
persons for contempt or disorderly be-
havior in its presence to enforce obe-
dience to its process TO protect its
members against violence or offers of
bribes or private solicitation, and with
the concurrence of two-thirds to ex-
pei member but not second time
for the same cause, and shall have all
other power necessary for the legsla-
ture of free state. A member ex-
PEELED for corruption shall not there
after be eligible TO either House. and
punishment for contempt or disorderly
behavior shall not bar an indictment
for the same otlense
Nor shall member Of either House
be permitted TO resign pending trial
by the House or an inquiry into his
conduct, which may lead to expulsion,
Remarks: II
The purpose of this amendment is
obvious A knowledge that expulsion
cannot be avoided viii tend to prevent
corrupt practices. Instances have oc-
CARED in which members charged with |
deserving the severest censure
have escaped punishment altogether
by resigning, because it was held that
such resignation oustcd the jurisdiction
of the proper house over the offender.
1t is due as well to the dignity of the
Legislature as TO further justice that
crime and disgracciul ollenses shall
not escape punishment in this manner
Article 3, section Sd. Strike out the
word general" in the first line.
The section will then read No bill,
except appropriation bills, shall be
passed containing more than one sub
iect, which shall bc clearly expressed
in its title.
Remarks:
The purpose of this amendment is to
make the section conform to the amend
ments proposed to the 18th section of
the same article.
Article 3, section 10th, Amend by
after the word schools" in
the fourth line the following:
"All otherappropriations for charita-
BILE and educational purposes, which
may be made by a majority vote, shall
be embraced in one bill, and all appro-
priations for such purposes requiring a
vote of two-thirds of the members
elected TO eacn House, shall be en-
braced in one BILL" l6
This section will thon read The
cneralappropriation billshall embrace
but appropriations for the or.
linary expenses of the executive, leg
slativc and judicial departments of
he Commonwealth, interest on the
public debt, and for public schools all
,ther appropriations for charitable and
educational purposes which may be
made bya majority vote, shall be en-
Draced in one bill, and all appropria-
ions for such purposes requiring a
'otc of two-thirds of the members
,lectedto each House shall becmbraced
n one bill all other appropriations
'hall be made by separate bills, each
embracing but one subject ,..-
Remarks
The purpose of this amendment Is TO
ring tho subject of appropriations to
charitable and educational purposes
,eiorc the mind of the Legislature in
me view, thereby enabling them TO
'djust the sums appropriated accord
ny 10 the relative merits of the OBJ I
ecisiof the public bounty, and 10 keep I