The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-05-07
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN
NEW YORK

AT great meeting of the democracy of New
York city. held at Tammany Hall, TO approve
the nomination of delegates to the convention for
the reform OF the State constitution, the follow
ing resolutions were adopted with enthusiasm as
indicating the reforms sought for by the demoe-
racy of the Empire City"
RESOLUTIONS.
Resotued, That we hail the approaching State
convention with emotions of joyful pleasure and
sincere belief that an opportunity is now pse-
sented OF Incorporating into our organic law great,
vital, and radical reforms, tending to promote sh,
greater happiness of all, and more fully secxre
the rights of every citizen.
hesoiued, That among the important measures
and objects to be accomplished by the conventions
are the following:
l. To provide for the extinguishment of the
existing State debt, by requiring that all the sur
plus revenue of the public works shall be applied
to the payment Of the debts as it falls due
Z. 10 prohibit the creation of any new or adds
tional State debt except for public defence.
3. To prohibit the loan of the credit or proper
ty of the State to any private corporation or COM
pany Tor any purpose or under any circumstance
a. 10 incorporate into the constitution the
guarantees and pledges of the act of 1912.
D. 10 prohibit extra allowances to contractors
under the State government.
3. 10 prohibit any person holding a contract
or Pecuniary claim against the State from being =
member of either branch of the Legislature.
Z. To abolish the property qualification in the
case OF negroes, but not TO extend to them the
elective franchise.
o. 10 lessen executive patronage and central
influence, by providing for electng by the people
the State officers, and all the chief officers under
the government.
3. To diminish. diffuse, and discentralize the
nf adj
boards OF supervisors, or other local bodies d.
rectly representing the people of the several conn
lies and cities, the mass of local legislation: the
accumulation of which upon the State legislature.
prevents the localities from applying their own
experience 10 the Improvement of local admins
traslon, and obstructs the general legislation of
the State.
TO-. To separate the judicial from the legsla
tive departments
III. To re-organze the judiciary; elec,ing Judges
by the people; providing sufficient number to
perform all the business with promptness and
FACILITY; and rendering the administration of JUS
tice cheap and efficient
IL. 10 provide for systematic and thorough re-
form of the laws; for simplification of the modes
OF legal procedure, the antiquated and artificial
iorma'iiies OF which occasion delay and cost, Of
Ten Amounting 10 denial of justice; and ultimately
ior codlhcatlon of tho vast mass of unwritten
laws, so that individuals may readily know the
legal rules by which they must be governed, may
ascertain with more clearness and certainty their
legal rights, that litigation be lessened and Justice
between man and man be promoted.
10. 10 require the legislature to pass general
laws, under which business and other associations
may be formed, and to restrain the conferripp of
special charters and privileges.
a. 10 engraft provision for the entire sever
ance OF all connexion between the banks and the
government, and to provide for independent
treasury for the State