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

The following is an abstract Of the suggestions
made by tho Citizens Association OF Ncwlork io the
consideration Of the Constitutional Convention
The leading changes urged by the Association are:
An appointed Instead Of an elective judiciary.
The appointment OF District Attorneys, instead OF
g. The appointment instead of election Of the sccre-
the Attorney the State Engineer aud surveyor.
the Canal Commissioners and the Inspectors Oh states
PrsOns-these officers TO constitute cabinet or the
Tie appointment, instead Of election Of the Con.
tr0Bcr or chief financial officer of cities.
g. The creation Of a Court OF PardOnS
The election in cities having population OF 10000
The abolition Of separate governments for city and
county where the city embraces the county eritOray.
s. Manhood Suffrage with educational qualification.
o. Representation Of Ininorties
To- That the Legislature shall have the power OF pro
ydDg for the appointment or election III Their dscre-
ton OF all State local officers whose election is not
H. That no money raised by tax in this State, prop
erty owned by the State by municipal corporations
tons to religious or charitable institutions:
u. That local taxes in the CITY and County OF New
York shall be authorized only by local Jures Of tax
payers.
Ian APPOINTED JUDICIARY.
An upright and impartial administration of the laws Is
indispensable alike TO private happiness and public lib
that the whole system Of an elective judiciary is failure
our people have suffered too sorely under Its evils they
delay OF htigatiOn; they have seen too clearly now
tard and careeSs laws Tor inc o PreHenon o. ee
liberty and property 10 need an elaborate argument TO
show that these evils fow necessarily from the election
OF judges.
Au elective judiciary pOisons tho whole law. We need
IN public much rs IA monarchy II not IN greater
degree, well-cOnstltuted and regulated judiciary.
The few the individuals, need protection against the
sovereign well when that sovereign Is tho many as
when IL is but the one
IL is as essential when the people the prosecutors
rs when the king is that the Judge who stands between
the two parties the people and the individual should be
independent OF both.
The Judges OF our state from the highest 20 the lowest
should be appointed by the Governors should hold office
during good behavior be removable by vote OF two
thirds OF the members elected 10 each house OF the Leg
ature and should receive compensation not 10 be in
creased diminished during their continuance In Office
The responsibility for good judges would thus be per
mancnty liked upon one man, VINO would reel that sole
accountab lily which IL never felt by those who now Ill
vide with the great Of their feOwciZens the duty
OF cectlng our Judiciary.
We need men on the bench selected for their wisdom
and integrity and pc Cor strong adherence TO political
party We E>d Judges sEO know their position and live
hOOd not dependent ufcu the favor OF politicians.
The disposition for a numbtf OF years has been 10 in
crease tue term Of office under tho present system We
see why should not at once return 10 lhe
fun enjoyment Of the old plan, when the Judge held his
office during good behavior.
n may be said that good judges are often reelected.
This is occasionally 30, but Is not By any means the
rule
Ia The City OF New York @ few Of the judges Of our