The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-03

Ahairs at the Eew York state Capassl.
QUIZ ALBANY CORRESPONDENCE.
ALBANY, FEB. 20, 1851.
IN amendment Proposed to the State C0wststw
tio~, to Preserve the Pu ity and Iadipsadescs Of
the Elective Framchsss.
Mr.. Senator Mann, of the Oneida district, ab0u
week since, offered a resolution for the consider
alton ofthe Legislature, proposing to amend section
two of article two of the Constitution, by adding
these words; Laws may be passed for deprving
every person of the right to vote, or to hold any
cfee, who shall, in violation of law, give, pay, or
receive any promises, money, or any other property,
or valuable consideration, with intent to influence
the vote of any elector, to promote the elect on
OF any candidate, or ticket, or TO change or affect
the result OF any election"
There are laws now in existence under the pies.
ent provisions Of the constitution, deprving any
person from the right of voting who shall becon ne,
directly indirectly, interested in any bet orwager
depending upon the result OF any election. There
is also law in the books which makes it an offence
punishable by fine not exceeding two hundred
and nifty dollars, or by imprisonment not ding
SIX months, to pay, or promise, or furnish any
money, or other property to be expended IN procur-
tribute money for the purpose of promoting the
eiechen Ut any particular person or ticket Mr.
Mann's proposition goes further, and disfranchises
every mar, guilty OF using money for such purpo-
OF holding office for ever. The trainers Of the
constitution undoubtedly imagined that they had
guarded sufficiently the purity of the elective fran
chise, in the provisions which they Incorporated
in that instrument But the experience of only four
years has shown conclusively that extensive
frauds are committed at every election by the aid,
and through the irresistible influence Of money.
The evil is increasing annually, notwithstanding
he penal laws which now exist. What dread do
hose laws inflict Has there ever been a convic-
non under them Suppose, in the heat of politi-
cal excitement, the case of an offender is SUBJ
mitted for the consideration of grand jury,
will his political friends unite with his enemies
in an indictment against him ! Or, if, perchance,
an indictment shall be found, where can
petit jury OF twelve men be selected from a
legally returned panel, who will agree upon
a conviction Such offences are considered as poll
teal merely, and partizans will adhere to each
other in defiance OF oath, law, or constitution. Po-
litical ties are considered by thousands as the
higher law" which will be obeyed, if every
other obligation, legal or sacred, becomes violated
thereb go there is no security In depending upon
penal enactmens, and the only method OF arresting
the lavish use OF money now pracn5ed, is to add
clause In the constitution, as proposed by Senator
Mann.
vens, that our most respectable and would-be con-
sdered honorable citizens, contribute as regularly
to this corruption fund as they do towards the
support OF their spiritual teachers. From the same
pocket is draw funds for Outstanding the heather
in Hndostan, and Tor heathe nizing the Christians
in this commonwealth. Funds are now readily
provided by the same hand, to bnbe and corrupt
voters, as to spre ad The gospel And il ID feared.
not positively known, that high official digntanes
are now making and executing laws, and sitting
in seats of judgment and power, whose money was
contributed towards securing their own election.
How can such men and magistrates be regarded as
pure, honorable, impartial and virtuous, who have
obtained an ascendancy over compe itor by means
thus disgraceful! II they possess any sembllnee
OF conscience, 1t cannot avoid being scared con-
tinually.
OF what avail is it, that we undertake to diffuse
knowledge and promote morality among the people,
if honest exercise Of the elective franchise
not be effected The exercise of that right is
ly universal, being guaranteed by the constitution
of 1921, and reaifirmed by that of 1916, TO every
citizen, without regard TO condition, whether learn
ed or ignorant, whether rich or poor, whether ex.
allied or reduced. If the present practice OF cor
ruptiRg voters shall be permitted TO continue a
quarter OF a century longer, We need no longer
point to the rotten boroughs Of England, but we
shall have practical exhibition of bribery, more
openly manifested amongst ourselves, on this side
OF the water.
Mr. Mann addressed the Senate yesterday, in
support of the amendment which he proposed TO
the constitution, 10 preserve the elective franchise
from bribery, IN speech abouadng in ideas
which appeared 10 be convincing to the members,
as his remarks were listened to with profound
silence and the most resp ectful attention. His
facts illustrations and reasoniDgs, must have been
conclusive, ss no Senator attempted to make any
reply. II is the most important subject which has,
or can be, brought before the Legislature during
this session. Ii is matter of political CHI arac.
ter, as all parties have distinguished members who
ale alike guilty of buying voers-all are cognzant
OF the fact-and they should, as honest men, unite
In amending the constitution, to prevent the on
ward flow OF corruption at elections, and avert an
evil which Is surely and rapidly accumulat-
ing. III there are any men, IN either branch of
the Legislature, who shall attempt to oppose the
contamination of this righteous measure, he will
unique sionably be stigmatised as the advocate of
fraud, corruption, and bribery, in the exercise of
the elective franchise. Such a man may be found
n buf hefn ~.
expedition, let him " watch and pray" w.
ALBANY, FEB 2l, 1851.
The Old Hasbrontk House at Neobugh, noe
knotrm as 'Fashingtor's Head Quarters
Several years since Mr.. Jonathan II asbrouck, Of
Orange county, obtained loan from the State of
some three thousand dollars from the United
States deposit fund, and gave as security for the
payment Of interest and the ultimate repayment of
principal, mortgage upon cerIaia premises lying
very near the village Of Newburgh, on the west
side Of the Hudson river. Mr.. II. thinking, probl.
bly,, that he would not be called upon for the pay
ment ofprincipal and interest by the Safe before
the general government demanded the deposit
fund from the State rested content until the mort
gage was foreclosed and the property sold Ga
the day OF sale no person appeared willing TO bid
sufficient sum for the property 10 indemnify thea
State for the amount then due. The Comptroller
was therefore compelled to bid il in as the agent
OF the State, for the sum OF two thousand three
hundred and ninety. one dollars. During the last
session OF the Legislature few patriotic gentle
men Of Newbureh conceived the IDEA to revive the
revolutionary "reminiscences connected with the /
Hssbrouck house, and petite ned that the property
might remain in posses sion Of the State. Their \
application was successful; the sum OF one thou /
sand and eight hundreddolsrs was contributed for I
the purpose OF preserving the then condition Of /
the building; placed the property in the hands Of
the trustees OF the village OF Newburgh, and APP !
pointed a steward, with a salary from the State |
Treasury, to escort strangers and visiters upon
and about the premises, whenever any may desire
10 visit WasbiDgton's head Quarters. Ca the /
9Th day OF last July interesting celebration was
held on the premises; the banner which the State
had procured was run up the flag staff, Grafton
was delivered, end other appropriate ceremonies
occurred. Having been prepared for visitors.