New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-06-24
New York Constitutional Convention.
NINETEENTH DAY
4 Debate on the Question, Whether Commit
tees have leave 10 Report why they had
offered Amendments TO the Constitution
The Peoples Resolution, &c.


-.LBAST, Monday, Juce 81 1916.
To The Editor Of The Tribune:
SIR: The first half hour To-Day was spent in
prayer, reading Saturdays journal, receiving me-
mortal from the Tuscarore Indsns. through Mr.
Gardiner, which expressed a fear that The Conve
ton will interfere with their political condition ana
in hearing Resolutions or opinions read. which are
hereafter 10 be submitted TO Committees for consid.
Grafton. The reminder OF the tine-till the ad
iourpueut at two-was occupied not in the consid.
GRAFTON OF the the solitary report offered by Com.
nittee tMorriss bat 10 discussing whether Res
olution ADOPTED On the 18th inst. should hot be
nulled or abroeated. That recourse will be had TO
this rescissorv process is not yet Known for the de-
bate was adjourned Ill 10 morrow without taking
vote.
Mr.. Baker moved. June 70, Resolution that !,
vould be mex Bedient for the Standing Committee
10 accompany their reports With written explana-
tions giving their reasons for such reports. mo-
,ion TO get rid of this proposition gatived. IS
10 o9-ii was then adopted as principie--snd TO-
dav. Mr. Russell. of ST. Lawrence. moved il effect.
10 rescind and do II away
Mr. Russell said there were eloquent men in the
Convention, accustomed TO public speaking. and
able 10 present their views In the strongest Ian
guage before the question was taken on the several
sections OF the Consiitution-there were other pro-
found thinkers who could better state their senti-
nepts the reasons for their votes propositions in
the form of written reports. Il was his wish that.
/ If Committees reported with their reasons, which
he thought they should be allowed to judge of the
expediency OF giving or withholding, members
/ might be permitted 10 take such reports to their
rooms. TO consider and reject upon them. The
/ Chairman of the Committee OF which he was a
member Banks and Currency, Cambrciengl with
FORTY wears experience, might give powerful rea-
sons for the conclusions which that Committee might
arrive at, if it should be deemed necessary, and
ought il not 10 be in the form OF report The
reasons would go forth in some FORM either in the
language of the Committee or in that of the Report,
ers and however able the Reporters might be, the
written report would be the most authentic and the
hes, suited for their deliberations Why not give
written reports Tell as written speeches deliver.
ed by members in their places? Would not the re-
ports be saving Of time!
Mr. Richmond remarked that on this matter there
had been good deal of conversation out OF doors,
and that it important that titfdent speakers
should have the means OF expressing their senti-
rnents but il not the Clhdent speakers who had
implanted of the operation OF the Rcsoution-i;
was very different class Of memters. The resul;
of the proposition, should the rule be changed.
would be- that as one set of gentlemen Tor the gen.
temen Of and selected by, one party are a: tie
head Of all the important Committees they may
place their opinions twice before the Convention
and the public. while other opinions held conscen-
tiously. wouid not have The same advantage First
the Committees could have the reports and reasons
printed by the public, recorded on The journals and
in this form spread before the coGntry-and next.
they were abe speakers, and would reiterate their
arguments in the form Of speeches on that floor,
which the Reporters would OF course, carefully
note down, and which, in that form. also wonld go
forth to the public He did not that the like OPP
portunity could be given 10 others Mr.. Russell
had advanced some ideas which would seem car
.hapo ha Iac-r nv lyn
time for full discussion to take such course as
would be best for the pufc.
Mr.. Cambreleng was not dissatisfied with the
Resolution Of the 18th in the last Convention. II
was true no auch order was given, hut the prac
t;ce-and ne approved OF twas. for each Commit
tee 10 present in lis reports naked propositions for
amending the Constitution, and support them by ar
gument afterward. Ifhc reported sny amendments
il would be without written argument;
Mr. LOOMS felt inclined to consider the Resou
ton a deliberate one 10 suppress useful truths
Committees were sent out 10 examine special sub
iects important matters were referred TO them, to
give them their study and attention and to report
If necessary. with their reasons. He would have
found himself compelled to give the facts or other
reasons that had induced him 10 arrive Of important
conclusions # this Convention had not prohibited IT,
He was willing 10 encourage the fullest expression
of opinions when the country YVES considering ho"
far il was necessary effect change in the organic
Law.
Mr. Simmons of Essex conceded in sentiment with
Mr. Loomis In those times Of Greece and Rome,
more than . 900 years since, when popular assem-
blages and eoouence with oral information, decided
great national measures such as Peace ard w ar
written reasons might have been held 10 be lnexpe
dent; but now, since the Press bad been eetao-
lished the Convention should avail itself OF it-and
get the reasons or at least not enoin pom lis Com
miitees 10 withhold them The man who makes up
a renort n1nst have travelled over the whole matter
and considered it in its various bearings, and why
shonld they not receive the reasons tor bis con-
cnsione take them home TO their lodgings, consider
them. and either agree to the measures suggested
or use the argument il faiiacious, as means OF pre-
venting their adoption The Resolution was not
supported By usage, nothing like it had ever been
heard Of and he would leave ii 10 the Committee
thew had chosen 20 take their own course BE
thou sht il possible that if the Committee that had
reported Mr. Morris's had had 10 give their rea-
sons the report would have been somewhat dif.
ferent.
Mr.. Brown of Orange would venture to say 10
those who had voted for the Resolution, that in all
their knowledge and experience they could tell OF
no deberative body that had adopted Resolution
so preposterous, he was going 10 say infamous
He was q member OF the Judiciary Committee,
which met daily at in the morning and sits all day
except when The Convention i; in session. What
time had he 10 inform himself. as 10 the facts on
which other Committees might ground their pro-
ceedings! There was the Public Debt, for in
s,ance,-some had said it was 70, others that it was
pc Millions Would the Committee on Revenue
not be permitted 10 tell US what the amount OF the
Debt Isl Ifthere should be large increase of !u-
dicia officers required, woUld the Committee be
prevented from telling VIVA: vas the past and what
the probable future expense he concurred with
Mr. Simmons in the opinion that had Mr.. Norris
Repor. on the Executive Department required to
be accompanied with written report, it would
not have found its way there. II reasons had had
to be given. would they have had Sc day, no less
and no more as wages TO the Lieutenant Governor
placed in the Constitution Had the question OF
the BOLTON of Slavery in the District OF Columbia
been allowed 10 be me; by written Report with
arguments. would not excitement have ceased?
Mr. Chatfeld objected to Mr.. Browns Indirect ex-
preston OF infamous TO the Resolution. or 10 any
proposition presented by fellow member, He
thou eht The Convention different from egisa-
tive body and not 10 be governed in all things by
like rules He did not know how far some mem
bers' views might look beyond that Hall-how far
they Nigh, be looking 10 future ,Eudgeships-did
no; know their aspirations. nor what Judicial offices
were TO be created which gentlemen expected TO
6ll-but il struck him singular that every gentle
man OF the Judiciary Committee who had spoken.