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RESOLUTION REINSTATING THE PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF CENSORS UNDER THE 1776 PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION SECTION 47 AND THE 1968 PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2

The 1776 Constitution for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Section 47 called for a Citizens Watch group called the Council of Censors to determine whether the governing bodies in Pennsylvania were operating within their constitutional authority.

This is the wording verbatim from the 1776 Constitution for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Section 47:

In order that the freedom of the commonwealth may be preserved inviolate forever, there shall be chosen by ballot by the freemen in each city and county respectively, on the second Tuesday in October, in the Year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, and on the second Tuesday in October, in every seventh year thereafter, two persons in each city and county of this state, to be called the COUNCIL OF CENSORS; who shall meet together on the second Monday of November next ensuing their election; the majority of whom shall be a quorum in every case, except as to calling a convention, in which two-thirds of the whole number elected shall agree: And whose duty it shall be to enquire whether the constitution has been preserved inviolate in every part; and whether the legislative and executive branches of government have performed their duty as guardians of the people, or assumed to themselves, or exercised other or greater powers than they are intitled to by the constitution: They are also to enquire whether the public taxes have been justly laid and collected in all parts of this commonwealth, in what manner the public monies have been disposed of, and whether the laws have been duly executed. For these purposes they shall have power to send for persons, papers, and records; they shall have authority to pass public censures, to order impeachments, and to recommend to the legislature the repealing such laws as appear to them to have been enacted contrary to the principles of the constitution. These powers they shall continue to have, for and during the space of one year from the day of their election and no longer: The said council of censors shall also have power to call a convention, to meet within too years after their sitting, if there appear to them an absolute necessity of amending any article of the constitution which may be defective, explaining such as may be thought not clearly expressed, and of adding such as are necessary for the preservation of the rights and happiness of the people: But the articles to be amended, and the amendments proposed, and such articles as are proposed to be added or abolished, shall be promulgated at least six months before the day appointed for the election of such convention, for the previous consideration of the people, that they may have an opportunity of instructing their delegates on the subject.

The Council of Censors were the only ones who could call for a constitutional convention to change or amend the Pennsylvania Constitution.  In 1789 the General Assembly without authority from the Constitution, the People or the Council of Censors held a constitutional convention and created a whole new Constitution grabbing enormous amounts of power over the people and did not include the Council of censors in the new Constitution.  The General Assembly not only violated Section 47 of the 1776 Constitution for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania but also its Preamble:

This is the wording verbatim from the 1776 Constitution for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Preamble:

AND WHEREAS it is absolutely necessary for the welfare and safety of the inhabitants of said colonies, that they be henceforth free and independent States, and that just, permanent, and proper forms of government exist in every part of them, derived from and founded on the authority of the people only, agreeable to the directions of the honourable American Congress. We, the representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania, in general convention met, for the express purpose of framing such a government, confessing the goodness of the great Governor of the universe (who alone knows to what degree of earthly happiness mankind mav attain, by perfecting the arts of government) in permitting the people of this State, by common consent, and without violence, deliberately to form for themselves such just rules as they shall think best, for governing their future society, and being fully convinced, that it is our indispensable duty to establish such original principles of government, as will best promote the general happiness of the people of this State, and their posterity, and provide for future improvements, without partiality for, or prejudice against any particular class, sect, or denomination of men whatever, do, by virtue of the authority vested in use by our constituents, ordain, declare, and establish, the following Declaration of Rights and Frame of Government, to be the CONSTITUTION of this commonwealth, and to remain in force therein for ever, unaltered, except in such articles as shall hereafter on experience be found to require improvement, and which shall by the same authority of the people, fairly delegated as this frame of government directs, be amended or improved for the more effectual obtaining and securing the great end and design of all government, herein before mentioned.

Now, We the People of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being the authority from which government derives its authority, come forth to reinstate the Council of Censors to do the job which was bestowed upon them. 

We Declare that:

WHEREAS, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1789 without authority or consent of the people ignored the Council of Censors and changed our form of government to benefit themselves instead of the People.

WHEREAS, all power being originally inherent in, and consequently derived from, the people; all officers of government are their trustees and servants, and at all times accountable to them.

WHEREAS, government is, to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the people, nation or community; and not for the particular emolument or advantage of any single man, family, or soft of men, who are a part only of that community, And that the community hath an indubitable, unalienable and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish government in such manner as shall be by that community judged most conducive to the public weal.

WHEREAS, we may be restrained from oppression, the People have a right, at such periods as they may think proper, to reduce their public officers to a private station, and supply the vacancies by certain and regular elections.

WHEREAS, all elections ought to be free; and that all Pennsylvanians having a sufficient evident common interest with, and attachment to the Commonwealth, have a right to elect officers, or to be elected into office.

WHEREAS, the governing bodies of Pennsylvania have shown they are incapable,  unable and unwilling to carry out their delegated constitutional responsibilities and are usurping their authority on a daily basis despite Pennsylvanians plea to return to constitutional government which is the authority We the People delegated to them.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the People of Pennsylvania REINSTATE THE COUNCIL OF CENSORS to return to the station which it was constitutionally bound to do by authority of the People.  Be it further RESOLVED, that the under signed DEMAND the General Assembly shall not interfere with or obstruct the REINSTATEMENT of the COUNCIL OF CENSORS.

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