The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-08

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| The President Or. wiLL,AMs in the Chair
The Secretary called the roll; quorum being present,
tho Journal Of the previous meeting was read and ap
The spesial order of the day, namely the disposal Of
seats by drawing lots therefor was next called up and
the seIesot at Arm, proceeded to distribute the ssme to
each Of the members. The scene was an amusing one,
and each member soon took his seat e.,,.
Reports being in order Mr. M.clAr, the chairman of
the committee rules and regulations read the report
Of that committee embody the rules and regulations
which should govern the deliberations oftuo Convention
Mir BosD moved that they bs printed. The motion
| prevailed.
ton to the returns &c Of the nth Ward would not be
| prepared 10 report until Friday ening.
The resolution which had been laid over IN relation to
the formation OF answ Charter which was proposed by
Ms Soss hop.d '' S.Sa not DO discussed until they
Resoludon until the oonni,tes: reported.
MIR. OsAaAM considered the convention ought not dc.
the opposite gentleman, tMr BovdJ They could 60
into the matter in committee OF the whole. He moved
to take up the resolution in committee Of the whole
The convention here went into committee Of the
whole. AID Messerole in the chair)
Mr.. 0aAnAM wished to briefly explain his object in
proposing the resolution The charter of the city had
been amended frequently even under the colonial! go
vernmsnt and it always caused controversy. Making
further amendments would thence mako confusion more
confounded; and he would DEFY any lawyer to be able
to define distinctly the provisions Of the charter even
by going back through the State and colonial legislation
Unless therefore the present convention formed
charter their labors would be unavaiing; and they
mould not duty 10
capable Of being comprehended BY the community
Mr. BevD saw objection to the adoption Of the reso
luton.
The CHAlRMAr-Unloss some other gentleman wishes
to speak to the resolution the committee in the usual
parliamentary form, will rise and report
The question on rising and reporting was taken and
carried.
MIR B.rrDrcr moved reconsideration. The motion
prevailed.
Alderman Puspr wished to have some further discus
sion on the resolution
MIR. Bxnrpicr moved to amend a follows -" And
that the charter ought DO framed far as Pract
cable the general and well known plan Of American
popular constitutions Of government providing distinct
executive legislative and Judicial departments, and
specific grants and limitation Of power" He proposed
this in that they should declare what sort of form
the charter should be- Not have like the old charters
but plain simple one, which would be transparent 30
that every would understand il. Few, under the
present system really understood the provisions Of the
law under the old charters The charter should spec
else II ought have limitations Of power; and the city
ought to be clothed with the power ami authority which
was to be exercised under its municipal governmen-
There TO be some questions connected with the
State that should be blended in the charter but all
questions of peculiar municipal character should be
suit TO the intelligence and b'gh character Of the c
Of New York not TO have the powers local legis
ation delegated to It's intelligent citizens Yet questions
come ted with the city disposed Of at Albany and
taken up Cataraugus and elsewhere ii the State lie
did no. in the present stage, to lay down the de-
tails; this OF course would give to future discus
sion
Mr. GRAHAM did not consider that IN the present stage
they were called upon TO 60 into detail or define the
character Of the charter they intended to frame but
simply to pass the resolutions to the formation of
Alderman Puspr moved that the amendment offered by
Mr.. Benedict be laid on the table.
Mr.. FRrNcH hoped the motion would not prevail. He
wished have the question the amendment taken
paraey and in favor of having express and distinct
powers Of local legislation delegated 70 the city Of New
York.
Alderman PuRsrs moved to lay the amendment the
To lor tIo vholc b;ce ths
table until they more July prepared to discuss the
question.
as ing resolution on the table in COMMITTEES OF the
whole.
Mr.. BENEDICT considered there was, in all legislative
bodies
The question laying the whole subject on the table.
was taken, and lost.
CHAiaMAs.-TRs question recur the amend.
Mr. BrS.picr.-weI I shall withdraw the amend.
ment
Alderman PumpY moved to amend to the effect that the
new charter should not int srpt the rights. privileges
immunities &C. which the citizens enjoyed under the
Aid H.ssRovcx explained in relation to tho rights,
powers immunies, and privileges, which they enjoy
ed which would exist in every relation under the
charter Many difficulties had arisen under the old
charter; but he did consider that the new charter
would in any degree amelora,e their conaiton as
garded question OF right and title ss they hitherty
istsd Though would seem TO be the wishes of some
members to form themselves into an independent
reign state still those gentlemen should not forget that
they were but component part OF tie sovereign State Of
the charter venerable record, and contained many
provisions which, in consideration Of the time it
framed, were excellent
Mr. BENEDICT here offered substitute for his amend
men and the resolution Of MIR Graham. which provides
that the new charter shall reserve all the rights immu
nities, &c existing under the present charter.
The committee rose, and reported progrsss both pro
POSITIONS remaining open for further action The ssolu
tons were ordered to be printed.
The PRrsIpr,r here resumed his place.
Printing The Committee Printing reported, pro-
vdng that the printing be executed according to the
thousand "emsr
Mr. FKrscH proposed to amend to the effect that the
persons contracting should send in their Names and the
names Of their surees The report directs the
ries to advertise and contract with the lowest bidder
MIR McGAv moved, that the report be laid on the ia
BILE pro tenn There were reports abroad in the commu
nifty relative to the corruptiens which pracsed in
relation to the contract system He had heard stated
very journey mans wages twenty eight cents He
moved to lay 1t on the table They had practical prin
ter in the convention MT Mcspedon' who would give
The question of laying the table was taken and
lost. Ayes4-Noes rs.
The report and resolution amended, were adopted.
providing that printed copy Of the journal and docu
ments should be furnished each member.
MIR. GRAHAM offered O series Of resolutions, which
ordered to be laid the table and printed prov
ding for regulating the local courts Of the cy which
he Intended to call up on Thursday next
The question Of laying on the table and printing
taken and carried.
Mr. Cmors offered resolution which was laid on the
table, and ordered to he printed which provided that
to Office.
pkFEpfcr OHereu resoluuon, WhCn proposed
that the city Legislature should consist Of larger and
smaller body and elected for longer and lesser term
Ordered TO be laid on the table and printed.
Mr. CRors offered resolution proposing that q COM
mitee Of five proceed to Albany and request the
venon there not to interfere with the action of the city
convention Ordered to be laid tho table nnd printed
Adjourned overto meet at 5oclock this evening
To TINE Ep,roR o. TN. HsRAup.
In your Reporters state Of proceedings OF the
Court Of Oyer and Terminer Monday lat, fnd my
name among those about TO DO tried at the present term
You think At prefix TO my name alias" which my
counsel advises me IL libellous seek no litixa ion
with you believing that GU would not intentionally In
lure I now address on and Je,ie that you will
publish this, my svowal that The charge II any