The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-26
s purpose Of calling out the feeling q the Convention IN


reference 70 the work that they came here for.
The CHAIRMAN thought that the committee had been SO
fortunate as 70 complete the work and do its business WELL
that there no reason 70 enlarge upon II, it was
very happy thing The Chair however would like have
expression of sentiment in regard TO the matter
Mr.. HUNTINGTON remarked that In drawing the resolu-
tons he only endeavored to avoid all proixty and bring
up Immediately such subjects he supposed proper for
discussion, that the time Of the meeting might profit
ably employed keeping the subject distinctly before
neir minds.
gentleman presumed there were men here who could
hours in discussing this subject but for his part
be was pleased that the committee had laid out PROPOSE
sons SO perfectly plain TO render unnecessary TO say
Mr.. WuKN objected the phrase ascribing to the Ie-
gaature inherent" power. He thought that all power
was from God and that the Legislature possessed no such
power ''inherent.''
Mr. HUNTINGDON in reply, that all power was de-
rived from God but that He had given to temporal govern
nents power the matters committed TO their charge.
With that view OF the he did not deem necessa-
ry 70 explain the matter Governments Coils mi
Scy presided in perfect accordance with Gods will
Judge TYLER not exactly cogn zant Of the object
with which the Convention was caled-whether II
was general special. The only question here
was as TO the best means Of accomplishing tn
desirable object Of procuring more general observance
Of the Lords day. He had not as much confidence az
others the efficacy OF law for that purpose They had
already general law the subject, which governed
railroad and all other companies. The Legislature, how
ever, had power the canals, which were the
property of the State and that power he thought should
be exercised The responsibility resting on the Legsa
and the people in regard ~ the canals entirely
different from that resting them in regard To railroads
He preferred that the railroads should not be ced with
the canals, as the Legislature had direct power
. over the one and had not over the other
Mr.. WKS again TO the discussion Of the phrase
"nhercnt power" If the Legislature had the powc
10 prevent him working the first day Of the week. why
had they not the power well TO prohibit him laboring
the third fourth day' Their power delegated,
Mr. srluEuy moved that the word inherent be struck
sut Of the resolution
the amendment strike out the word "mherent and
- insert in lieu OF II the word "tul"
This amendment was adopted.
Mr. SEEKY OF Syracuse, in favor Of having the
amended TO exclude the mention OF railroads
strike the blow only at the States violating the
Sabbath through its employees the canals He there
fore moved TO strike out that point pertaining to the rail
reads.
Mr. ABRAHAM was unwilling to do anything here 10 in
the preudccs Of boameH against the railroads.
Some Of the boatmen had themselves resolved to give
the running of the boats on the Sabbath, but he
shoaght that the resolution aimed only at the
canals, and not at the railroads, it would have bad
encct
Another DELEGATE said that while circulating petitions
Tor this purpose he found that many objected to signing
them because they did not include the railroads.
Mr. SEnEy, OF Syracuse, reminded the Convention that
e strongest point against the Legislature the matter
that the State owned the canals The railroads
Incorporated bodies and were now Liable to fine for
violation of the State law the statute books in
regard TO the Sabbath. they restricted themselves
70 the canals their action would have efficacy.
Judge TYLER remarked that the legislature had
direct responsibility in the matter Of the CANALS and
the railroads he preferred TO leave the responsibility with
the directors Of those roads, who had already done very
railroads
Rev. H. J. BoGuE recognized that the distinction taken
between the canals and railroads well taken.
The present Sabbath law il executed, all that
needed in regard to the railroads But in regard
canals he had doubts whether the individual who opened
The locks the Sabbath not subject 10 ne He could
not believe that while there law the statute
book subectng 10 fine for working the Sabbath
day, there should also be another law on the
statute book requiring the canals 70
open the locks the Sabbath Let the point be raised
aud the effort made He believed that aordiue 10 the
MUS of fha in he n
the Sabbath As 70 the canals he believed that the
minority report read to-day was sufficient 10 convince
every sensible that they in the right and
hat the majority Of the committee wrong. Let
the State be CONSISTENT either let all the Sabbath laws be
abolished or let the employees Of the State observe them
the canals
Mr. MAr1Eoy, OF New York, had doubt that the gen.
ucmcn who had spoke as To the difference between the
railroads and the canals right but he failed N how
that affected this resolution only declared that the State
had full power-not the both railroads
and canals and secondly that duty 10 God and TO the
state required the application that power both lie
believed in the propriety OF both declarations II broth
rem thought that the first proposition was unrue he was
willing be convinced The legislature had full power
the railroads, unless indeed, the money OF thcss
corporations had more power the Legislature than
any other instrument lie thought that IL they prohibit
ed canal navigation and permitted railroad travelling
they would be He therefore hoped the
Rev Mr. Ri,uARpeos Of Geneva would not connect
with the canals anything In regard 10 the railroads.
ey went asking for action in regard 20 the canals they
brought before the Legislature matter for which they
directly responsible. they brought petition to
stay railroad running they would be asked-why not
also ask 20 have the running Of the boats on the North
river stoppedY They would be told that for all those
Violations Of the Sabbath there already laws and
would be asked--why not have them enforcedS They
yson much more hopefully 60 with this one request fun
Abe Legislature To do what obviously dine in s
behalf in regard 20 the canals
Rev. Mr.. BuRGBARDr, Of Schenectady, recognized
q pausbility in the argument IN favor q the dis
Snction between railroads and canals, but he said
there feeling Of jealousy the part of the boai
men against the railroads, and would he wise 70
Increase that jealousy by saying thai the railroads could
operate days IN the week while the boats could only
run six days II felt thai the railroads had always
te advantage the Legislature by Of the influence
passee He should be exceedingly discouraged If
ey should nc, only 10 regard 10 the canals dfegardal
Il ihe railroads. Consistency jewel, and he
therefore opposed TO striking out the part In relation TO
Mr. vAsprRooox recognized the fact that the objection
before was that they had singled out class OF
and ignored another He thought they would have
appeared W him they struck what the motion
tcmpated they would do nothing, tor the resolution
would ..n only s cr own sna' wa ns se n bSss
They should also ask the legislature 10 try their
hands upon the Sabbath breaking institutions
over which they had power They all knew that there
was more mischief done by the running Of on the
Sabbath than by the running Of the boats He was m
favor Of increasing rather than Of diminishing the demand
lie was therefore, strongly favor OF the resolution
stood hoped that tsy would not separate these two
things, but lot all the Sabbath breaking Institutions az tho
Land have equal condemnation by this Convention.
Mr. HUNTINGTON, the Chairman, supposed that the amend
mcnt il carried out, would involve them in guerrilla
They ought 20 lay the 10 the root of the tree
II they dwen abstract ideas they would make nd
In the object which they had In view. He had
raat M the Legislature In 1ss4 when tho rivalry com
menced between the canals and the railroads. and he well
knew the Influences that hcn brought 10 bear the
Legislature by the railroads TO give them the privilege c
carrying certain freight free Of duty. That influence had
continued and the Legislature would sonn he, Il Il
not already completely under the influence Of the railroads
He did not wish the action be restricted merely the
closing Of the locks, but also 70 the long levels they
did apply the principle 10 the railroads, they
would be playing into the hands Of those moneye mono
poNes who would receive greater revenue from frclght
OF what use the laws against the violation Of the
Sabbath when they could he rode by great moneycd
oorporaonsG The Legislature could stop their carrying
Of freight at the time thai they shut up the canals
and they did the without doing the other thedr
whole action would be aborive
Rev Mr.. wAKEMAS thought thai they ought 10 move
carefully In these attempted reforms, most attempts at
reform failed because OF rcformcrs going too fast Sup
posc the State passes laws against the violation Of the
Sabbath, and that the railroads do not observe them,