Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-11-19
Potihc4 S~
Pe~~aqeSo~io
BY the Ex-Committeeman

of legislative bodies which always
follows an election is over and Gov
ernor-elect William c.. Sproul is 60
ing away for short rest and Repub-
lican leaders are back in their home
districts, the big topic of discussion
seems to be the proposed constitu-
tional convention. Many men of af-
airs think that by the time a conven-
ton could be called conditions will
be in such a shape that the problems
could be approached better than at
any time in the last decade, while
others have come right out in OPP
position to consideration of changes
in the fundamental law of the Com
monwealth just after a war.
While Governor-e -elect Sproul has
stated in the Public Ledger that he
regards the constitution as in need
of modernization it is pointed out
by some of the newspapers, especially
the Philadelphia Inquirer, which
speaks by the book in many cases,
that he is not committed to a con-
vention.
"A typical upstate view of the
situation is that given by the Altoona
Tribune, which says editorially:
pennsylvania may owe it to the
present and the future to remodel
her present constitution, or to re-
place 1t by a more modern and more
serviceable document. We know
there is some risk involved, but per-
maps it will be just as we'll to take
the risk for the sake of the probable
advantages to be reaped.
The Inquirer says: "While it is
true that Governor elect William c.
Sproul has, in common with others
who have studied the question, en-
pressed the belief that there should
be a revision of the State Constitu-
ton, he has not gone upon record
that such a convention should be
held at once. There are conditions
which could arise which would make
1t desirable to defer the calling of a
constitutional convention within the
next year. There was a PROPOSE
ton before the Legislature at Harris
burg two years ago to call a con-
stitutional convention, but the po-
tential members of the Senate and
the House concluded that the time
was not ripe for such action. Mat
ters of Federal taxation growing out
of the war and other unusual con-
ditions. have been mentioned as like
of proposition to call a constitu-
tional convention at this time. Some
of the men who are known to be
in the confidence of the Governor
elect have within the last few days
expressed doubt as to his being pre-
pared to urge an early calling of a
convention to revise the constitu-
tion."
People at the State Capitol are
looking for an early announcement
of the appointment of Harry Syl-
vester McDevitt, deputy auditor gen.
eral, to be private secretary to Gov
ernor- elect William G. Sproul, and it
is understood that as. soon as the pri-
mary bill case is ended in Philadel-
phia that he will come here to close
up certain other work connected with
the fiscal branch of the state govern
ment. Mr.. McDevitt will probably
have much to do with drafting the
legislation for reorganization of vari-
Gus activities of the state government
which it is expected the new gov
ernor will launch.
The name of DR.. j. NJ. Baldy,
of Philadelphia, chairman of the
State Bureau of Medical Education
and Licensure, is being prominently
mentioned as a possible appointee to
the health commissionership by
Governor-elect Sproul. DIR. Baldy
had charge of the legislation creating
the bureau.
Judge John w. Kephart. of the
Superior Court, who was here yes
terday looking up precedents in re-
gard to the Supreme Court bench,
will take his seat on the first Tues
day of January. The justice-elect
will also draw lots with Justice Alex
ander Simpson Sr. for priority of
commission, it is understood. The
last time two justices were elected at
the same election was nineteen years
ago, when ]. Hay Brown and S. Les
lie Mestrezat were chosen. Mr..
Brown had been appointed TO the
vacancy on the bench caused by the
death of Justice Williams some
months before the election. The JUS
tices drew and Brown won seniority
and eventually became chief justice
of Pennsylvania.
1t is generally believed that Gov
ernor Brumbaugh will leave the fill
ing of the Kephart vacancy on the
Superior Court bench to his sue
cessor. Senator Charles H. Kline, of
Pittsburgh, and Judge c. V. Henry,
of Lebanon. are much mentioned for
the vacancy. Lebanon men are maxi
ing strong effort for Judge Henry.
City Solicitor John p. Connolly
has called " conference to discuss q
new city charter for PHILADELPHIA.
which the Record says is BADLY
needed"
State Chairman William e. Crow
was here yesterday for q short visit