The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-10
The Convention Of X evision-The Duty of the
DeIegutes.

State last fail on the question of the amendment
OF their constitution, and of this number a ma
jority of one hundred thousand declared in
favor of revision and alteration of the
organic law. This is q very large vote
to be cast upon any question not involving
personal or political interest, or the disposition
of an Office embracing patronage or emolument.
1t satisfactorily d.sproves the assertions OF
those who maintain that the people of the State
take no interest in the Convention now in ses-
sion at Albany, and are Indifferent what the
action0f that body may be. The truth is that
the citizens Of N,w York have made up their
minds to put stop to the corruption now no.
toriously prevailing in every department OF
the government, both in the State and the
metropolis, and they look to the Albany Con-
vention to enable them to do so by thorough
reform of the organic law.
The people are beginning to understand that
it is not the wealthier classes or the taxpayers
alone who suffer from the evils of bad govern
ment. While the money uselessly and cor
ruptly expended by dishonest officials to enrich
their supporters, bride legislatures and secure
themselves in power swells the tax list, and is
collected directly from the owners of property,
much oft comes eventually out of the pockels
| of mechanics, clerks and laborers, in the shape
of increased rents and high prices for all the
| necessares of life. 1t may be assessed in the
| first place upon lands and stocks and bank
shares and other possessions of the rich but a
due proportion of it is paid in the end by the
labor of the country, and increases the pow
erty and suiferings of the poor. Every MN
in the city and State, high or low, wealthy or
needy, has direct interest in putting stop to
! the organized anarchy and corruption which
the politicians of twenty years ago forced upon
us under the name Of State constitution.
The duty of the Convention of Revision is
very plain, easily performed and not to be
evaded. There are certain notorious evils in
our present system OF government which must
be removed The Executive Of the State is
little more than mere fgurehead, his powers
under the decentralization" policy having been
almost all t,ken from him for the purpose of
making every petty Office elective. The judges
depend upon party organizations and active
politicians for their positions, and are occupied
as much in laying up political capital to insure
reelection after the expira ion OF their short
terms of Office as in discharging their official
duties. The city of New York is without any
responsible government, and is crucifed be-
tween thieving commissioners on one side and
thieying Corporation on the other. The State
Legislature is cattle market, where every
animal has its price and can be bought and sold
by any jobber who may happen to come along
with enough money in his pocket. All this is
the fault Of the present constitution, and all
this needs to be, and can be, remedied. That
is the work the people have confded to the
hands Of the Convention, and that is the work
they expect it to accomplish.
1--we were appointing general manager and
superintendent Of a bank, q railroad, or any
large manufacturing business, we should give
him such entire power and control over all his
subordinates as would enable him instantly to
stop any malpractces or corruption, and
should hold him responsible for the good man
agement of the concern. The Governor of the
State, and the chief Executive Of municipal
ity should possess just such powers and be
responsible to the people for their faithful exer
else. An efficient and honest government can
not be secured in any other manner. The Con-
vention, in framing the organic law which is to
last us for another twenty years, or thereabout,
should restore proper power to the Governor,
so that the people can hold him directly
responsible for the good government Of the
State, AID reach him readily in case he should
prove unworthy Of the trust. They should pro-
vide for life judiciary and retain such of the
present judges as have proved their capacity
and fidelity on the bench. They should give the
metropolis strong and responsible govern
ment, placing full power over all subordinate
municipal departments in the hands Of mayor
the people or appointed by the Governor,
and held answcrable for the faithful and honest
administration of all the affairs of the city.
They should restrict the State Legislature to
the enactment of general laws, prohibiting all
special acts for the relief or benefit of any
individual, corporation or locality, and leaving
counties, towns and municipalities to legislate
on such matters as affect only their local
interests.
We have some hope that the better part Of
the delegates will unite to secure these neces-
sary reforms, and submit a new constitution
that will meet the approval of the people.
There has been too much political feeling
cvinced on both sides up to the present time,
and the apprehension has prevailed that the
whole affair would end in partisan squabble.
But the action of the President OF the Conven-
ton in the selection Of the first important
committee leads us to anticipate a more
favorable result If he will continue to ignore
the impracticable and violent politicians in
making up his committees, and will place the
business Of the Convention in the hands of the
abless and most independent members of the
body over which he presides, he will render
a. Il 81 l.-l.sx ~ Ill.