New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-06-18
Constitutional Reform.

We Of course viii hereafter understand the Trbrne
when speaks this subject d.sclsrnlng any pre-
,ence Of representing the views Of the Wing party ou'
does y clam TO give the purposes ard opinion, OF tne
Wing Reormers And what those vi.vs and whom
does the sppcIation embrace =
We will endeavor to satisfy the Atlas.
We could wish TO keep this subject Of Con-titu-
iional Reform entirely distinct from party and hope
to be allowed to support intelligent. capable. ear
mes, Reforrners for the Convention without re
spect 10 politics We would prefer the election
ton TO that Convention Of majority Of Loco
Foco delegates who would enact the Reforms
we desire rather than that Of a majority Of Wings
who would not do 90 While, therefore nine ienths
Of the Wings whose sentiments We have any means
Of knowing concur generally in the propositions OF
amendment We have put forth, there are some who
dissent and many who, while asserting substantial.
" to wha, we have proposed object TO some one or
more Of the less essential suggestions On the other
hand, we know many Of opposite politics who think
az we do on points whereon some Wings disagree
with Us For one Of the most important suggestions
Of Reforms TO be secured by this Convention we
indebted TO a small party or sect once known In
our city az the Radical Working Men in opposi-
ton to those who were called the North American
Workies' With these Radicals did not agree
and hardly expect ever to agree on the Adminisra
tive questions which control party politics but we
are always willing to learn from opponents and 70
follow truth wherever we find it, and however uh
popular It's source or It's advocates.
Whom We say we desire such and such
changes in the Constitution, we mean to imply those
who agree with US, and we believe nneien'hs Of
the Wings who have paid much attention to the sub
ject do so. But We do no, present ours as Wing
proposi,ions we do not see what Party has proper
lv m do with the matter, and we believe very many
Of our political opponents ei,herdo now substantially
agree will rs or would do so If they were familiar
with the considerations which mpel us TO desire
those changes The Convention is likely to be car
RED by nearly unanimous vote; is it impossible
that the Constitution should be reformed In like
manner A hope that il might be, induced US 10
address the Atlas in reference to a general under
standing among Reformers and, though we Were
rather smartly repealed by tina, paper, we still trust
that the Reforming People viii have an understand
ing among Themselves.
The Atlas errs in asserting that we differ az
widely from the Evening Journal as from the Elk
press But that is immatcrial The journal objects
to Biennial Sessions Of the Legislature. We do not
remember that we have decisively urged a change
in this respect though have suggested, and still
believe that if our Elections could be held Biennially
instead of Annually, an immense saving of time
means and morals would accrue TO the community
The Leg islaturc might meet annually though elected
for two years But we are not tenacious on this
point nor do we think We have ever presented ii as
portion of any plan of Reform.
The changes we do desire are mainly these
J. The Right of Suffrage recognized as inherent
in all qualified to exercise H. without regard to
Property or Color Imbeciliiy, wiliul Ignorance,
Alienage absolute dependence on others for the
means Of subsistence as in the case Of Paupcrs
may be disquaifcations for voting lack Of Proper
ty or excess of Color is not
2 The division OF the State into many Senate
rial and Assembly Districts respectively as there
shall be Senators and Representatives TO choose, 80
that each District shall have Representative and
one only, and no incapable unworthy candidate
slip in through the popularity Of better
3. A thorough and searching Judicial and Legal
Reform, which shall curial the formaiies and di
rninish the expenses OF Litigation, thus ensuring
promp; justice to igants and clearing the calendars
Of our courts of their inierminablc accumulation.
To this end we desire the establishment in each
Town or Ward of tribunal like the Danish or
Swedish 'Rcconcing Court whittier all causes
must first be brought for adjustment without law
ycrs formali,ies speeches of any kind but with
simple statement of his by each party and the
examining of witnesses on disputed points only
The decision in these Courts has in Northern Europe
no legal force either party may disregard it and ap
peal to the Courts Of Law but i, is found that few
ever do So and litigation is immensely diminished
by il
T. The abolition of all needless restrictions on the
natural rights of such forbidding the election
of Clereymen TO Office declaring that certain officers
must have much property, or must be residents OF
the District which elects them. dc. &c.-There is no
danger that a man owing his office 10 the residents
within certain district will not lean strongly enough
10 their interests or the con
irary There were any necessity for such go carts
in the infancy of Republican Institutions. think
il is now outgrown
5. Facilities for the substitution. far as posi-
bic of general provisions of law for special OF
Legislation.
G. The creation of absolute safeguards against
fraudulent voting, either by Illegal double voters
:. The election of many more officers by the PEG
pie
And now with reference to that point which
the Atlas deems mos, important. We have no OBJ
lection 10 Constitutional intcrdict Of any Legisla
tive act borrowing money creating a State Debt
without its direct and explicit ratification by Vote
of the People. We can never agree however. to
require the Legislature TO submit, separately to the
People bills for each link in our system of Public
Works We could not decide whether to vote in
favor OF against section OF Canal or Railroad
while in doub, whether other sections would be
authorized or defeated but we could readily decide
whether 10 vote for or against the general prosecu
ton of Internal Improvements; 30 could every one
Can no, all Reiormers unite on this ground
That OF Single Districts for Legislators in all cases
TO-DAYS OUTSIDE.
FIKsr PAGE.-Lei,ers from Italy Shield OF Archiles
New Publications.. al. T.xa. -,