New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-06
and behind it, and then the beast may be taken with
lassoes.
~ 4 PENNSYLVANIA TOWN.
ALDERMEN JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, NOT
CIVIC LEGISLATORS


HaTristOwn. Penn, June 22.-The newcomer into
Pennsyvsna town. If he is the lookout for things
new and strsngethe things that derentiate Pennsyl
vania from, for example, its notable netgllbor the
Empire statewil be apt TO find them without looking
far. In the first place. Pennsylvania like Massa-
ehusetts, is officially known as n Commonwealth,
though is not apparent that this fact has produced
any deep impression upon its people made them in
any respect different from their neighbors 70 tile
satisfactory and mouthllng in the thought That when
In Pennsylvania you actually within the limits Of
q real Commonwealth. To be sure. editors in this
country generally are in the habit Of referring 10 any
State rs a Commonwealth and 10 the Union as a whole
this unparalleled family OF Commonwealth or
words to that effect But that is too vague and gen
eral 10 i'll the bill How many Of the states
declared in their constitutions 30 be Commonwealths
do not happen 10 know. / have known for time
that Massachusetts is and have Just learned that
Pennsylvania is entitled TO the distinction.
Advantages are obligations" is friends favorite
translation OF the wellknOwn "nOblesse Oblige.' 1t
is to be hoped that Pennsylvania appreciates her high
privileges and always lives up TO them. But OCCASION
ally the Commonwealth mods. Massachusetts,
did it when she elected Ben Butler Governor. and
again last fall and Pennsylvania has twice elected
Mr. PattlsOn Governor in spite Of her splendid record
as Republican State
Electlng Governor in this Commonwealth is not
q matter TO be lightly considered. When elected he
Governor for four years. unless he dies, resigns is
impeached Along with fOur-years' term for Gov
and other elective state officers 60 biennial
sessions Of the Legislature members Of the upper house
being elected for four years and OF the lower house
for two. As New-York has under consideration the
question Of amending its constitution TO provide
for sessions Of the Legislature every years the
experience Of Pennsylvania is not without interest at
this time. The change made here in 1874, and
l.
faction. The people have had fault 10 find the
score that there has not been legislation enough.
Members Of both the Senate and the House receive
81 500 salary-the same in NewYorI-but as 1t is
paid to them only in the years when they are on duty
the cost TO the State in salaries is reduced onehaH.
In New York, all the State officers, like the secre
tary Of state Attorney General. ETC. elected In
Pennsylvania some are elected by the people others
are appointed by the Governor; and, again. some are
appointed for definite terms and Others at the pleasure
OF the Governor Just why this distinction is made is
not obvious to the casual observer. though it
sumed that existed therefor at the outset
Now it is established CUSTOM and consequently not
subject to change.
Seated at a hotel table day or two ago in city
which shall be nameless here. my eye naturally
wandered out Of the window while was awaiting the
lesurely operations of the colored waiter who under
took to provide me with what the hOuse-not a very
good house, by the way-afTorded. Under such cir
cumstances. where all strange, is apt TO look
about amlessy at signs and people and whatever else
may happen TO como within the field Of vision. The
first thing that arrested my attention and caused my
eye to stop in it, lonrneyng was the t9UTing sign
Alas for the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania Surely
Commonwealth OF Massaehnsetts at ali events not in
the vicinity II Boston where il has been averred on
good authority, even the owls decline calmly, but
ing o 20 Whit To whom Wei. had no pants
to be pressed and time TO wait and could only smile
pityngiy ald forbear.
little further on another sign arrested attention
and awakened CURIOSITY II was (any name will an
swerD: "Nicodemus Sparrowgrass Alderman This
was something novel. Here. at least, | Thought the
office Of Alderman has not fallen 70 the 10y E estate
respectable person in that town advertising himself as
sR from The bgSBF effects Of cviIsston to fhd
this ancient and somewhat honorable title held in
esteem But I rejoiced too soon. The next day.
found to my surprise that Alderman in Pennsyl-
vauia Is not a member Of the City or common COuncll
but serves as instce Of the peace. being elected
for each ward As for COuncilmen I found the city
Overrn with them. there two boards each con-
al Ing p HePeT GrWn their salaries With ree
larv and Dispatch not able 10 ascertain III the
course Of a brief visit.
As to county government, found marked difference
between Pennsylvania and New York. In New YORK
each county has Board of Supervisors each, that IS
except NcwYork County. where the Aldermen take the
place Of Supervisors made up Of representatives OF all
The townships or where cities are included, OF repre-
sentatives Of ali the wards and townships. Pennsyt
vana has Supervisors too but they the petty local
officials who look after the mendng Of roads Comfy
business IS intrustod the control Of Board OF Com
missoners in each comfy This consists Of three mem
bcrs Among other duties they have TO look after the
construction and repair Of county bridges, small
bridges arc township neighbOrhood afalrs, nut
bridges over what are sometimes called slzable'
streams constitute COUNT charge. l was not IN
formed as to the exact number Of feet in length which
separates county bridge from one OF the other Knd
but PennsyIvani8us seem TO know instlncuVeIy WHAT
has been established by immcmOrial usage
The name Of one official in Pennsylya1i9 brought
me 10 grief and humiliation. II is that OF Prothono-
tary 7 saw It cOnspicuOusly displayed over the door
Of suite Of rooms in q court house. and later asked
an acquau lance what the duties Of this person were
prononncue the name II 10 were composed OF the
word notary" with the prefix pr1tho." puzzled
look came into his face. and then an amused one as nc
cau gt my idea and answered Oh y1l mean ProtnOn-
otarv'= pronouncing the word as If spelled . Pro
thoDO- ta-rv with the accent the second syllable
| admitted that he was about right whereupon was
informed thar tho official with the hnrd-to-oe-pro
bounced name had 10 do with deeds. mortgages ere
in short that he performs the duties which are attended
10 i'm the Empire state By the REGISTER OF DEEDS
shall never say Parliamentary. with the accent on
nos again: and my advice 70 persons Goont to WISH
pennsvIvapa IS 10 get this word down hne' II they
wish 10 retain the respect Of their friends.