The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-04
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

VVNp1AAOAkVuA1 OVN LIN IlVNs
Under Consideration i'm Committee of the
Whole.
ALBANY, August 8, 1861.
The State Constitutional Convention reassembed this
morning Memorials were presented relative to fishing
in the international waters relation law library
and against donations to sectarlan institutions
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. vERPLAscK called MP his resolution calling upon
the Canal Comm issioners for information concerning
Adopted.
Mr. T. W. Dwight's resolution that the vote on the
amendment now being considered in Committee Of the
Whole be taken quarter to two O'Clock Tuesday
next laid
Mr. Merwn's resolution relative to system Of cumu-
lative voting for aldermen In cities was referred.
ORGANIZATION LEGISLATURE
The Convention went into Committee Of the Whole On
the ORGANIZATION OF the Legislature Mr. Archer in the
chair.
Mr. FULLER, trep) OF Monroe, opposed To large
Senate districts II would be much better for this Con-
not attempt to make out apportionment,
but pass that duty over to the Legislature,
Mr. LEs rep OF Oswe9o did not understand that the
Convention had been called on TO make an entire new
constitution make such changes in the present
organic law experience had demanded. There had
been demands the OF the press people for
return 10 large district system. The small district
plan had worked well and no was IN favor OF euns
adopted. the subject Of apporonment should be
left to the Legislature
Mr. BELL trep of Jefferson. did not attribute 10
party PURPOSES in the discussion of this subject He
believed there was an earnest desire on all hands to
arrive Mt the hest plan for the organization OF
the Legislature No six could make apporton-
ment would be satisfactory and for that no
did mot believe that this Convention should mako the at
n rtv IN IN
and should be left that body The Senate should
represent the State and small districts had tendency
10 locaze tho views OF the representative Large dis
tricis would have the contrary effect
Mr. LEE-Would IL not have tendency 70 enlarge the
views OF Senators II they were elected on general
tcketf
Nr Bell said that was not bad proposition. The
election OF Senators on State ticket wond possess
advantages any other plan What was
needed was experienced and an able body Of men,
who womb have view the hest interests Of the State
Mr. W. C Brown. trep.) OF ST. Lawrence. said that in
the instance the State divided into four graf
Senate districts This was not found 10 work wal and
IN remedy defects eight districts subsequently
agreed upon: when tho Convention Of 1876 mt there
great pressure for another change and thirty two
districts were ARRANGED This was change 10 the other
extreme We should not initiate these examples nv fol-
lowing either extreme He favored the plan proposed
by the gentleman from westchester.
Mr. GREELEY frep OF Westchester said u open
TO objections. but II modified would be found 10
work well and give minorities nm opportunity to be
represented.
Mr. NJ H. LAWRENCE rep Of Yates was opposed to
going backward. The people would not endorse the
change from small districts 10 LARGE ones The robes
part OF the work OF the Convention OF ls4G was the
abolition OF the large district system. The peone wore
now too negligent OF political affairs. and II largo dis
trics adopted would destroy what little interest
was now exhibited.
Mr. s. TOWNSEND. tdem OF Queens, favored tho forun-
ton Of small DISTRICTS as 1t wond bring tho representa-
tive more directly IN contact with the peope.
Kr. WAKEMAN, trep OF Genesee, said IL he had boon
called upon when he first came to this Convention TO
rive o vote this question he should have favored
large Senate DISTRICTS but the consideration given to the
subject had changed his views He should support the
single district svsem both as to Senator'S and members
OF tho Assembly 1t would give minorties better OPP
portunty 70 be represented The term OF Office OF
Senator should be aud that would relieve the
difficulties complained OF. It was always sautary 10
have respectable minority in numoers. because the
majority would always bear watching. He should vote
these propositions without reference 10 party al