New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-14
The Law by which q. y. Senators are
Elected la this state.

This Law, as Is generally known Is peculiar b
this State. 1t odginsted in the Con' enton which
framed the frst Constitution Of the State Ia iiiI,
during the American Revolution which Consti'
tuition was principally the work Of John Jay. IL
contained the following clause relative to the
election OF Delegates 10 the Continental Con
greSs
"That Delegates 10 represent this State In the
General Congress OF the United States OF Amer
lea be annually appointed as follows, TO wit
The Senate and Assembly shall each openly nom-
mate as many persons as shall be equal to the
whole number of Delegates to be appointed;
after which nomination they shall meet together,
and those persons named In both lists shau Dc
Delegates; and out of those persons whose
names are not on both lists, one-balt shall be
chosen by the joint ballot OF the Senators and
Members of Assembly so met together as aiore-
said"
After the adoption Of the u. s. Constitution by
this State, it became necessary for the Legisla
ture to pass laws to provide for the election Of
u. S, Senators and Electors of President and
Vice. President but the Legislature, which was
convened at an earlier time than usual, by Gov.
George Clinton in December 1883, failed to pass
a law for either Of the purposes named. bill
was passed for choosing Members of the House
of Representatives by Districts bat the Senate
and Assembly would not agree on bills TO provide
for the choice Of Presidential Electors and Sena-
tors Consequently, the State Of NewYork did
not vote for President and Vice-President at the
frat National Election in l7s9-nor was the State
represented in the Senate at the first session OF
the first Congress. This was owing to the strong
anti edera feeling in this State, in opposition to
the adoption OF the U. S. Constitution.
At the following session, in July 1899, Rufus
King and Philip Schuyler were appointed u s.
Senator'S by joint resolution Of the Legislature,
without any previous law, bill to provide for the
choice of Senators having failed, in consequence
of being rejected by the Council of Revision.
Senators continued to be chosen by joint reso
luton Of the Senate and Assembly for some years
In March, 1901, an act was passed, directing that
L. s. Senators should be appointed, in the manner
provided by the Legislature of the State for the
appointment Of Delegates to represent this State
in the then General Congress Of the United States
The same act fixed the day Of election by the
Legislature on the FIRST Tuesday Of February, the
same as the law now in force.
The present law, in the Revised Statutes,
differs slightly from the old law, which. it will be
observed confined the choice in joint ballot to the
two candidates nominated BY the Senate and
Assembly separately whereas, the present law
leaves the choice open to any names members
may please to vote for when they come together
in joint ballot.
The following is the section OF the present law
relating to the manner Of the election:
"such election shall be made By the Legislature In the
following manner. TIE Sensie and Assembly shall each
openly nominate person for the Office ol senator 10
Congress after which they shall imued lie meet ard II
they shall sgTee In her nominations. person 30 non
raied ,'s - appointed = hey saa dssgree s election