New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-04-10

/ W assam uuGclSAouuS " Oc t5 OplIi-
lons, yet refuse those who wished 10 hire his
trum for the purpose of defending those same opin-
ions. Have We not righ, 10 feel entirely confi-
dent on this head
Convention for Revising the Constitution
of the State.
MI GRAIN, from the Select Committee on the
bill providing for submission 10 the People of the
question OF Convention or no Convention, has
made the following Report, recommending the
passage Of the bill:
Your committee have examined the bill and
considered the principles involved in it, with the
lctude and careful celebration required BY the
conflicting opinions and important considerations
embraced in the result, OF its passage or rejection.
The subject OF revising our present Constitution, Is
calculated TO enlist ardent opinions, and awaken
| the deep anxiety, OF all who desire improvement,
and seek such moderate changes in the organic
! law as reason and experience have shown 10 be ne
cessary AT this day and IN this State, II will not
be contradicted that governments are republican
only as they embody the will OF the People and
execute III No measure, therefore, which seeks
in an authentic manner and by ordinary means, 10
ascertain the sober and conslderae will OF the Peo
| pie aud provide for IFS execution, can b. Justly
stismatized as revolutionary or departure
| from those sacred principles on which Constltu-
| tons themselves are based The committee en-
|
pass this bill, nor do they appreciate the force OF
the fears and doubts which have been expressed,
that the People themselves will not Judge wisely,
and act with intelligent sobriety in the determine
tlon of the questions TO be submitted 10 them.
The bill provides that at the next general cleo
ton in this State, a ballot shall be taken from the
voters entltled 10 vote al such election, Tor Con-
vention" or "No ConyeEtion," that II a majority
of the votes thus given, shall be for ''No Conven-
ton," then The result shall be so declared, and
there shall be no further proceedings under this
law If such shall be the result, the expense of
thus ascertalnlag the will of The majority OF our
citizens will be very trifiing. No new body OF Of
| ficers is created nor Is any onerous duty
imposed upon the inspectors and canvassers OF
election The committee have no hesitation in
expressing the opinion, that this important subject
will in tins way, be determined without producing
the eas, confusion, or the slightest interference
disturbance of the public quiet; though interesting
To the voters II will not rufile their equanimity.
The present and former Constitution OF this State,
were both made by delegates, elected for the eX-
press purpose Those Conventions were mainly
composed of the ablest and best men of their day
and generation. Their labors proved satisfactory.
and the result was sanctioned by the mass Of the
citizens interested in the form OF government, and
order and decorum We're preserved among the
People.
The bill referred 10 your committee does not grant
any authority over the people, or confer right upon
them, nor does II assume 10 give any direction, as
u
invoke il by their ballots. If there shall be ma
oriiy in favor of Convention the bill then provides
for holding special election, on the lirst Tuesday
of April, 1876, for the choice OF delegates; each
county is entitled the same representation II now
has in the Assembly. The Convention is 10 meet
at the Capital, on the day of June, lS45, TO con
slider the Constitution, and make such alteration in
the same as the rights of the good people of This
State require and II shall deem eXpedert and pro-
per The main and principal features OF the bill are
I'D fro, ,l,a au. If which fS and
provisions received the final appreciation of all par
ties.
Your committee deem il OF great importance 10
theiviiallty and continuance OF our Republican form
of government, that our fellow citizens should be
| familiar with the principles on which their own
rights rest, and possess an accurate knowledge oil
| the limited powers OF those who undertake to re-
present them In carrying on the government-the
people cannot be TOO Jealous or watchiul OF their
servants The tendency Of legislation Is TO appro-
pirate 10 few what is taken from the many, not
always with orcn boldneSs or direct assumption,
and the consideration OF the question whether there
shall be Convention or not, VIII call the attention
OF the people directly 10 the acton OF The govern
meHt under the present Constitution. ne merits
and dement's of much OF The passed legislation Will
he canvassed, and their attention directed 10 what
has been deemed objectionable. Ii will give beth
| directors and approvers fair and iul opportunity
TO submit their opposite heones and op!sions 10
| submit their opposite theories and opinions 10 the
1 great ana enlightened jury, oi ANS"-
! York The choice OF delegates Will no doubt,
bring into action the abest and wisest men OF the
Stale and selection Will be made that Will render
! the Convention not only capable but anxious 10
provide efficient and malicious remedies tor the evils
which have created so much alarm. Ii such body
of men cannot give us laws that will be respected
and submisslveiy obeyed, /, will be in vain 10 seek
| security elsewhere.
When the workmen shall have completed the
labor to be committed TO them, the result must be
| submitted for approval 20 q constituency whose at
ten,ion has been thoroughly awakened by the pre-
| cedipg discussions II will thus have been deter
mined BY the people that they desire Convention
They will have appointed men possessing the pubic
| confidence 10 act for them, and then review the
work and approve or reject IL as shall appear 10
| have been done IN wisdom or Jolly
The Committee believe that body OF men thus
chosen for one simple important purpose, discon-
rected entirely from the cares and confllcls, INC
| duties and Interests which must Surround lesiSis-
ton and often control lt-emauatlng from the ln-
teres,s OF the people, when awakened TO ACTIVITY
| and watchiulness-lnves,ed with the highest ano
| mos; solemn grant OF power that can be made by
| the suffrases OF Freemen-enuusted with the dear
est and most sacred OF human nights, the happiness
and welfare OF the citizens OF tree State, ana Qe.
hberatng IN their presence, such body cannot iali
10 give Importance 10 lis action, and welsht 10 It's
! Recommendation: To such body Of men II sp-
| pears 10 your Committee, we can look for remedy
/ tor the present 6iscorG2nt opinions on many poltl-
cal topics restore the respect due 20 the laws, lis
officers, the rights OF property and conflicting IN
terests, which require timely and preventive rem
The Committee do not feel themselves called
noon 70 discus OF argue in favor OF this BILL any OF
the proposed amendments VIII The G0nye1.on IN II
| cailed) NAV take into ITS consideration me OH
does NOT specify any Of the propositions which nave
recently enlisted SO much OF the pubic attention.
II Is proper however 10 state that there appears 10
be general CONCESSION, that many lmpoTTss .I
amendments are desired by the people paI'ssnlarly
n,cn,s and we have now had experience OF the
aImos; hopeless efforts of accomplishing any MAZE
nal Improvement hreush The action OF Inc les'sa-
tive power over The subject.
Itwould. perhaps, be though, nnoe coming IN us
II moi unnecessary 10 arraisn the Legislative power,
or to speak in derogation Of ii, or, ippus an i'm.
proper and ndiscreet thirst 10 retain the eSciusss
control over suhjec, which involves The use ana
extent OF lis powers as daily exercised ey US, ano
/ tvh Ifh frsr,n OF our own