Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-11-25
"HE Philadelphia Evening Bull
letin, in an extended discus
sion of the Constitutional Re


sion of the Constitutional Re-
vision by Penn, says:
For many years the need of a
new or revised Constitution of
Pennsylvania has been discussed
by thoughtful public men. On sew
eral occasions proposals to that
end have been made in the Legs
lature, and one of them was acted
on favorably by the House three
years ago. It has come to be
pretty generally acknowledged, even
among conservative citizens, that the
Constitution, as it now exists, is
largely defective and that in highly
important particulars it is plainly
outgrown by latter-day changes and
necessities. Frequently, however,
the objection has been raised in Vari-
GUS influential quarters, some po-
litical and others corporate, that
while a new Constitution may be de-
sirable, the times are not propitlous
for so momentous a step; that it
might lead to ultra-radical measures
and precipitate dangerous agita-
tions, and that, therefore, it ought
to be put off until the public
temper shall become normal. But
while there has been a good deal of
point in these objections, it also
finally became evident that the
policy of postponement could not so
on indefinitely and that the longer
it was kept up the more trouble
some it might be to shape the Or
ganic law along modern lines of
thought and with a minimum Of
clamor aud commotion.
, Last winter. when Governor
| Sproul went into office, he was dis
posed to favor the early ctlling of a
Constitutional convention, but finally
he concluded that it would be wiser
to defer to the objectors for the time
being. He took the ground, how
ever that the way could be, and
| should be, opened for the perform
ance of that duty. Accordingly he
proposed that the Legislature should
| authorize him to create a commits
sion which might inquire intelli-
gently and carefully into the whole
subject and which might, in laying
! the groundwork for the action of Il
| convention, go far to simplify and
| facilitate the proceedings of that
| body. The Legislature accepted
| this recommendation, and it is thus
| that the Governor has just an
nounced the appointment of the
/
Commonwealth who are to under
take a. work which he looks upon
| as exceptionally useful and impor-
! tant. In fact he has said to some
! of them that he does not know of
any higher honor that he could con-
fer upon a private citizen.
The body is to be known as the
! Commission on Constitutional
| Amendment and Revision, and II
! will be expected, according TO the
! terms of the enactment, to study
| the present Constitution in ''the
light of modern thought and con-
! diti ms" and to determine the
changes in it which may be neces-
sary to the purpose of giving the
people of PENNSYLVANIA such "A form
| of government as is best adapted ia
their wants and most conducive tc
their welfare. Much inquiry and
examination will be needed, and the
! Governor has earnestly asked the
prospective Commissioners to sacri-
flee enough of their time to make
| their Investigations q source of real
| and lasting benefit to their State
Their attention will be occupied
from time to time during the
greater part of the year 1920; and
under tne law tneN Will Jnen ueclue
what will be the best way of effect
ing the changes which they may rec.
| ommend - whether by proposing
! amendments of particular sections
or articles, or by subjecting the en-.
tire Constitution to revision through
a general convention. If the latter
course shall be agreed upon and ac.
cepted by the Legislature, it is as.
sumed that the experience which
they will have gained in the course
of the year will especially qualify
them TO sit as delegates at-large in
the convention itself, and it is con.
templated that provision shall ulti.
mate1y be made to that end.
AS for their report, they are di
rected to have it ready for submis
sion to the Legislature not later thar
February, 1921, and this documen
will probably be elaborate and far
reaching in its scope. inasmuch a:
the law provides that the recon.
mendations shall be ''in detail
The report may contain not merel,
the drafts of amendments or ;
series of amendments. but it may gC
so far according TO the function.
prescribed for the Commission, as t.
contain the draft of a general re-
vision" If the Commission shal