New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-09
ppoposUD CONSTITUTIONAL cHAYGES

The Citizens Association, whose recommended
tons are always entitled to respect has
issued pamphlet suggesting various changes
in the Constitution of this State, of which we
give an abstract in another column.
The first recommendation of the Association
is that the Judges should he appointed 10y the
Governor, instead of being elected by the
people. Some good arguments are addressed
in favor Of the change, but we regret that the
Association should content itself with mere
general statements upon Il subject OF such vast
Importance, and with an assumption that the
people need no argument to satisfy them
that the present system is hopeless failure
The people do need thorough enlightenment;
and there is no organization which could so
well do the work, and assume the responsible
ity involved, as this Association. Eminent
lawyers, of all political opinions, assure us that
the administration of justice III tins city has
become frightfully corrupt; that bribery and
extOrtion are practiccd to an extent OF when
the pcoplc do not dream; that worse men are
OH the bench than many who are IN prison !;
and that the whole judicial system of this city
is rapidly declining into state rs debauchcd
as its municipal government. We have not the
means of testing the truth of these state
ments as fully ms the Citizens Association
might do. 1t should act at once, for this Is
the critical moment the Convention is waiting
for the expression of public opinion; and the
public are waiting. not for abstract arguments
or vague hints, but for solid and irrciutable
6cfs These facts are. we believe, either IN
the possession of the Citizens Association, or
within its easy reach; and it can do the State
no greater service than by fcarlcS3ly exposing
the terrible coruptions which it enormously
ASSUMES to be matters of general knowledge.
The second suggestion OF the Association II,
that district attorneys also should be appointed
instead of being elected as now. These OH
GERS occupy a semi judicial position, and all
the reasons which make il desirable that
Judges should be free from political and local
influences apply equally 10 them. The propo-
sition 10 annex an educational qualification to
the ngnt of Suffrage does not command our
assent, fer reasons that we have frequently
set forth and need not repeat. The rcprcscu-
tation of minortics is highly desirable; but it
is 10 bc regretted that the Association has not
submitted plan 10y which this end conld be
attained without excessive completely or
loss of votes. The prohibition of do
I
charities ia very properly recommended.
While some of the institutions thus aided are
mcritorious, and DESTROYS to receive from pri-
yato libcrality all that they ever receive from
the State or city, it is obvious that the prac-
tce of appropIating public funds to their sup
port is likely to cause an cXtray0gant reliance
upon that means of support, 10 relieve such
institutions from the necessity of economy, to
make their managers Indifferent 10 the wishes
of contributors, and 10 encourage the forma-
ton of institutions pretending to be benevO-
lent, but really designed TO support their man
ayers at the public expense.
The proposition that the expenses of this
city should be regulated by jury of taxpayers
is probably the most effective method set do
viscd for reducing our local expenses. ii would
not give to the jury any legislative power but
simply veto upon schemes of plumber. of
which the city stands greatly in need. The
other recommendations of the Associa-
ton deserve attention, and are in the
main well advised We do not intend,
however, to pass upon the proposition
to conline the right of suffrage for one
board of the City Council TO Taxpayers.
The association has done well in making these
suggestions, and we trust that it will follow
them up by n clear and full statement of the
facts and figures upon which its opinions are
based. The members of the Constitutional
Convention will have neither time nor facility
for obtaining such facts; and the Association
will earn the gratitude of every honest citi-
zen by throwing all possible light upon the
important subjects now before that Conven-
ton.