The New York herald., 1867-02-15
THE STATE CAPITAL.
SPECIAL cuassspouoeucs OF THE HERALD.

-
-~~~.~~--~~~~>~>~>~~-~~
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE HERALD.
The Constitutional Convention Interesting
Discussi0n In the acknowledgements ra-
vortug sixteen Delegates af Large Tor eacn
Of the Leading Parties. sc. -,
ALBANY, Feb. IA, 1857.
The dulness OF the legislative monotony that has pre-
vailed here for some days was relieved this morning by
an interesting discussion ON the Assembly bill providing
for the proposed Constitutional Convention The bill
up in its regular order for the consideration OF the
youss in Committee Of the Whole, Mr.. stiles, Of Chau
aqua county, occupying the chair After the reading
OF ne title aud first section by the clerk Dr. Hoy OF
iase ecounty, presented an amendment providing Tor
the eAuson Of all parties who gave aid or comfort to
the rebVion.
Mr.. Dewitt G. LMlejohn, Of Oswego offered another
amendneAt a. to make the number OF delegates to
DO elected hundred and sixty instead Of hundred
ana twenyeight the additional thirtytwo 70 be dele
gates a. siye and chosen general ticket He sup
ported his amendment with eloquent speech, during
the course Of which he explained that the obed OF his
motion was 70 surc to the convention the experience
ability and wisdom Of some Of the best meu in tie dem
ocraiic party To eYsct this proposed that q six
teen delegates at large should be nominated am voted
for and that the sxteeL others next receiving th high
est number OF votes shouf be entitled TO Admission
the convention regular delegates By panthe
vices Of sixteen Of the abest in the democrat party
would be secured to the convention The revso OF the
the constitution OF the commonwealth affecting the in.
terests Of over four millions Of people, something
that should be approached in no mere spirit Of rtsan
ship 1t was question of the most vital importance
and should be considered that woulS
fairness and justice to all He would thereoe invite
the democratic party TO send their abest nd TO the
convention and hoped his amendment would ldopted
There questions to come before that body calling
for the most dispassonae and impartial consideration.
The prOpriety OF changing the Judicial system OF the
State and OF remodeng the forms Of municipal gov
ernment very important features was spolen Of
among the subjects to be discussed by the convention.
spirit OF fairness and justice and expedency
should prompt the dominant party OF the greaSate Of
New York to give to every side opportunity present
its views in the most thorough manner on questions Of
so much moment
Mr.. John l.. Parker OF Cayuga county disagreed with
Mr.. Lttejohn'S views on the subject To allow the six
democrats provided for In the amendment TO enter
the convention would be provide for sxteer delegates
who could not otherwise be elected He considered that
IL would be inviting element OF dscord to the conven
ton which would distract its deliberations while 1t would
not secure the democratic party from being overborne
BY the republican majority that would be reurneds to
the convention.
Speaker Pitts next took the floor and made one Of his
characteristic speeches on the subject He believed in
mended by Governor Fenton The question should be
stripped altogether OF party considerations and viewed
from broad comprehensive standpoint looking solely
party in this State was not behind the republican
In numerical strength The republican party had only
succeeded in carrying the State for the last few years by
small majorties secured by almost superhuman Efforts
If the party now dominant insisted upon purely party
convention revise the constitution he believed the
democrats would make such an effort as would inevitably
result in the defeat Of the republicans And he
believed that II the democrats were now in
pocy to that Contemplated and sdvised BY Mr. Parker
they too would suffer defeat and dessrvedy In fact be
lev a no sns soS Be
S he @ nsisc sess ana espssDcs pen @
q meA ike Charles O'Conor William y Evarts men
whose genius learning and worth ACKNOWLEDGED by
all parties he bad read political history Alright The
gates 20 their constitutional convention merely part
affair and the result had been the political shpwreck
Of that party SO II would bo with the republican party
Of to-day should . similar policy be decided upon.
DR.. Hoyt said he would favor Mr.. Uttleohn's amend
ment he would be informed that the democratic party
favored convention Besides the questions Of judi
ciaxy and government OF municipalities there
ther Of vast Of striking from the con-
Mr. Milspaugh, Of Orange said he would say for him.
self that the democrats in favor OF convention.
mr. Y o or the sns a shs
floor
Mr. Millspaugh-Ido.
Mr. Millspaugh-I do. This interruption was attended
with some confusion, and several republican members
heard TO excaim, III the democrats ara gong TO
fight among themselves can't take Of thcm.
Mr. Wilber, Of Duchess, was the next speaker, and
favored the ftejohn resolution In address Of mnch
thunder, lightning and electrical flashes BE believed
the mind giants OF the democracy should be invited
to the convention and had no but would be
enough Of the "mnd giants" of repubcanism 10 match
them in genius ability, debate, or steel TO steel.
Mr.. Burrows. OF Erie, Was heard 10 remark, ,ot.o
roce that in steal to stea the republicans could beat
Mr. Henry smith, Of Albany closed the debate with
rather sophstcal speech during which he spoke against
the Ltejohn amendment and stated his belief 10 be
that the best plan, after ALL would be an election by
Assembly districts He considered that the people
should rule n this State and that to adopt the amend
men would be 70 secure delegates contrary to the popu
lar rx-nico Mr. Gyp "a N
delegates In general and declared It to be utter farce.
The people had nothing TO say In the matter and were
controlled altogether by q few men who managed the
whole affair." This the only part OF Ais speech that
really good He was interrupted several times by
questions from republican and democratic members, but
answered all readily, though not satisfactorily.
The discussion occupied lions share OF the session,
and when of by adjournment only postponed
The discussion was resumed this evening before q
crowded House. scores Of ladies' Senators and State
officials being present The proceedings quite
citing and interesting Several speeches were made for
and against the amendments and some smart exchanges
occurred between members Mr. Hoyt opened the bail
with appeal n favor Of the rights Of negroes and for
serving IN the convention he warned the House against
the Lordes Of Southerners that have grated TO this
State lately, and said they ought to be dsranchised
and was followed by Mr.. Weed democrat, OF Clinton,
who. made q remarkable speech. He was In favor
o. allowing ra .eeS.s ,ee sn the constitution
not be violated by extending that privilege 10 the col
ored man. The democratic party was always 10 isvor
people sanctioned IT, and he believed that there would
be no opposition from the party OF his section 70 the
amendment of Mr. Hoyt. The constitution. rs be un-
dcrstood IL only excluded certain negroes IRON voting
for ofccrsr He considered delegates 70 the conven-
ton were not officers in the sense contemplated by the
constitution.
Mr.. Parker did no. believe in having the republican
marty act "a vet Nurses for democracy They would
place themselves in such position u 'hey invited SIX
teen democrats 70 the convention.
Mcssrs Bgeow, Of Jefferson, and Travis Of westches-
ter, made stirring speeches In iayor OF Mr hteohn
amandmeut Ibe latter referred 10 the new
democratic idens expressed by Mr. Weed and
declared that he believed they were uttered
TO ensuare the republicans. The constitution
eYcIuded negroes except OF certain class from voting.
ana he had no doubt democratic members would Ike
Inc repubcans to place themselves in false light be
hs pcpe a. vioators OF the constitution They wished
10 pnt milestone around the neck OF the republican
party which would drag 10 down 70 ruin. he would
therefore oppose the amendment OF Mr. Hoyt on prn-
cipe. ..,.,
much A. strange principles had been uttered AZ doc
trine OF the democratic party He was cppo cd 70 al
lownp negroes 10 vote for delegates because the con-
sttution forbade w. II the right OF suffrage were TO be
ex,eudrd ne would first grant II 10 Tho air ladies' ~ the
10 the l.si NIL