Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-14
Constitutional Reform in New York.

At great meeting of the Democracy of New York
city, held at Tammany Hall, to approve the nominal
ton Of Delegates to the Convention for the reform of
the State Constitution, the following resolutions were
adopted with enthusiasm as indicating the reforms
sought for by the Democracy of the Empire city,"
Rssolred, That We hail the approaching State
Convention with emotions Of joyous pleasure and
sincere belief that opportunity is presented of
incorporating into our organic law great, VITAL and
radical reforms, tending to promote the greater happi-
ness of all, and more fully the rights of every
citizen.
Resolped, That among the important measures and
objects to be accomplished by the Convention are the
following:
l. To provide for the extinguishment of the exist.
ing State debt by requiring that all the surplus revenue
of the public works shall be applied the payment Of
the debt as it falls due.
2 To prohibit the creation of any new or additional
State debt except for public defence
g. To prohibit the loan of the credit or property of
the State to any private corporation or company for
any purpose or under any circumstances.
A. To incorporate into the Constitution the guaran-
ties and pledges of the act of 1912.
D. To prohibit extra allowances to contractors under
the State government.
6. To prohibit any person holding a contract or
pecuniary claim against the State from being men,
Der 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.
g. To lessen executive patronage and central inlu-
ence by providing for eecting by the people the State
officers and all the chief officers under the govern
ment
g. To diminish, diffuse, ard discentralize the pow
ers OF administration, by comforting the boards of
supervisors other local bodies directly representing
the people of the several counties and Cities the mass
of local legislation; the accumulation of which upon
the State Legislature, prevents the localities from
applying their own experience TO the Improvement Of
local administration, and obstrucs the general legis
lation of the State.
TO- To separate the judicial from the legislative
departments.
H. To re-organize the Judiciary electing judges by
the people; providing a sufficient number to perform
all the business with promptness and facility; and
rendering the administration of Justice cheap and
efficient.
of the laws for simpfcation of the modes of legal
procedure the antiquated and artificial formalities of
which occasion delay and cost, often amounting to
denial Of JUSTICE and ultimately for cod6cation of
the vast of unwritten laws so that individuals
may readily know the legal rules by which they must
be governed, may ascertain with more cearness and
certainty their legal rights, that litigation be lessened
and justice between man and man be promoted.
b. To require the Legislature TO pass general laws,
under which business and other associations may be
formed, and to restrain the comforting of special
charters and privileges.
Ia. To engraft provision for the entire severance
of all connexon between the banks and the govern
en and to provide for an independent treasury for
the State.