New-York tribune., 1867-09-25
TILE CONTENTION IN RECESS.

The Constitutional Convention of this State
adjourned over at noon yesterday, to noon of
| Tuesday, Nov. 70. 1t did so because it had
become evident that its work could not be fin
ished in season for its submission to and proper
consideration by the people prior to our ap-
preaching State Election; and-that fact being
established-it was plain that nothing could
be gained by crOwding to a close under whip
and spur, in the heat Of a political contest.
| 1t is very important that the revision of the
Constitution be thorough, and its result salts
factory it is not so essential that it be COM
pleted few days sooner or later. The end to
be achieved is "not for a day, but for all
time," and the means should respect this
truth.
We have anxiously labored and striyen, in
season and out of season, to avert this delay.
Ardently desiring and hoping that the revision
might be completed in three months, or at
most four, we have from day to day entreated
the Convention to limit tho duration of
speeches-tO close what is called general de-
bate on pending article-to take said article
out of committee of the whoe-tO refuse to
adjOurn-especially to vote down motions to
adjourn over, &c, &c. We did not value freedom
of discussion less than others do nor did we wish
TO suppress the views of any one: we simply
desired that the Convention should get on, and
so complete its work in due season. But the
delegates number one hundred and sixty, of
whom about one hundred are practicng lawyers,
while others are editors, popular lecturers, &C.,
gifted with decided rhetorical fiuency while
the general reluctance to limiting discussion
was rarely and with difficulty overborne. We
hope the result may prove that our anxiety to
make progress was exaggerated if not ground
less.
Throughout most of the session it has been
found difficult to keep quorum on Friday
evenings, on Saturdays, or on Mondays Many
members, and especially those living in this
City and its neighborhood, had habit of
leaving on Friday afternoons and not return
ing till Tuesday morning, if even then. 1t was
to no purpose that sixty or seventy delegates
stuck to their posts: eighty-one was the small
est quorum; and, if so many were not present
at any time, some one would raise the cry of
"No quorum - and thus arrest the progress of
business. At length, it was agreed to humor
these by adjourning over from Friday
noon to Monday evening" and from
Saturday noon to Monday morning on al
ternate weeks; but this made little difference
In practice with those who, when they at
tended at all, were accustomed to spend but
three days and a fraction per week in Albany,
though taking pay for the whole week. FL
naiiy' IL was proposed to adjourn over, on
the alternate weeks, from Friday evening till
Tuesday morning, but this was voted down by
the aid OF several, who proceeded forthwith TO
leave on Friday and not return till Tuesday
morning, as usual! They voted that a session
should be held on Monday evening, but them.
selves stayed away from it, so as to compel
others to attend 1t to no purpose.
we cannot here give particulars throughout.
out let the following serve as samples of what
we demur to:
On Friday last. Mr. Erastus Brooks Dem1