The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-17
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.


The New Constitution OF the State Of New
YOrk-OpiniOns OF the Press3 Of the Inte-
From the Warren Village (Rockland county, Mes
senger (denocraticl July 15l
Tne MessenyeT having been selected by the authOr-
ties at Albany as one OF the papers which 10 pub
llSh this important document, we this week submit
1t TO our readers in the form of an extra whereby
they viii be enabled to study carefully its numerous
articles and sections, and act inteigently when
summoned 10 pass Judgment thereon next Noyem-
Der.
The changes proposed by this instrument are not
what may be termed radical. There are no new
change In the forms which have hitherto prevailed.
in regard TO Suffrage the property clause which has
moved ana that race placed on equality as far az
suffrage Is concerned, with the Anglo-Saxon. Slight
changes are proposed IN regard 10 me Leglsatnre.
instead Of all gong out the same time, the terms
are EXTENDED ana one-half go out every two years.
The number OF members Ill the lower House Is in
creased from l2s to 1885, and elected by counties
instead OF single districts as at present.
Inc oTy cna1ge Oh any mpOr.ance ,ne execu
agement OF the canals. The three Canal Commits
sioners are to give way to superintendent OF public
works, who Is TO receive his appointment from the
Governor for the term OF five years. This Oicer Is
to have fun charge OF The canals.
1t Is proposed 10 change the Court OF Appeals by
electng seven judges for the term Of fourteen years.
The present Sppreme Court districts are retained,
with the same number OF Judges, the terms fixed at
fourteen years instead OF six.
1t is also proposed to take the management OF the
State Prisons out OF the hands Of the three inspec-
tors elected by the people, and place it under The
charge OF a board Of managers, composed OF five
persons. to be appointed by the Governor. We adj
wise our readers TO perusc the document carefully.
1t contains good provisions, and some ponts
which have no merit to recommend them.
From the New Paltz IN. " Times republican,
The new State constitution to be voted for next
November win be found in full In the Times OF this
ence. Separate ballots WIN be provided on the
judiciary portion, on the suffrage clause and
on the assessment and taxation provisions.
Some important changes are proposed IN
regard to tae Legislature. The Senators remain as
at present. but instead Of all going out at the same
time the terms are extended. and oflehalf go out
every two years. The members Of the lower House
are increased from l2S 1879, ana elected by
ties instead Of single districts. The salary OF mem
bers Is fixed at $1,000 The principal change In the
executive branch Of the State government Is IN the
management OF the canals. The three canal com
missioners give way TO a superintendent Of public
works, who Is TO receive his appointments from the
Governor for five years. and to have full charge OF
construction, repair, navigation aud improvement
thereof ana IN the appointment OF subordlnates
the present Canal Commissioners. Claims for canal
damages are to be referred to court OF claims to
consist OF three judges appointed by the Governor
by ami with the consent Of the Senate II Is pro-
posed to change the Court Of Appeals by electing
seven judges for fourteen years. Present supreme
Court districts retained, with like number Of
judges; all the courts IN tue city OF New York are
continued and the terms fixed at fourteen years In
stead OF six. The management OF the State PRISONS
IS taken out of the hands OF the three inspectors
elected by the people and placed under the charge
OF board OF managers, composed OF i've persons to
be appointed by the Governor. The militia article
Is slmplied, and stringent provisions are proposed
in regard to bribery al the polls, 10 the Legislature
and IN all of1cial places.
There will be more officers appointed by the Gov
ern0r, and the tenure OF judicial Officers Is length
ened; while IN one case-the creation Of new
court-the judges are appointed instead OF elected
thus taking step towards the return 10 the system
which prevailed prior to the adoption OF the present
constitution. The new constitution, rs whole
viii generally be voted an Improvements upon the
present.
[From the Auburn IN. " Morning News-Seward
organ-July 14.l
Since the new constitution is 70 be submitted to
the people for their adoption or rejection IN Nover
Der next its features should be carefully examined
by the people. 1t makes numerous changes which
we deem improvements In our present fundamental
present constitution, but IT takes many steps IN
the right direction that 1t can scarcely fail 10 receive
The most important and desirable Improvement
proposed BY the new constitution is one which.
strange to say, is likely TO receive the
latcs to the qualifications OF voters Is de.
signed to do away with invidiOus distinctions
among citizens and should receive the united sup
port OF all true democrats and republicans. There
are, however many nominal or technical democrats
In the State whose instincts win lmpel them to OBJ
pose the removal of class determinations IN suffrage.
1t is an inconsistency almost incredible, that under
our present constitution white men may vote whe-
Their they are rich or poor, but among c0ored men
those only can vote who prove themselves owners
Of certain estate. 1t Is curious inat the present
rant prejudices against race and color, Is really
discrimination against poverty man in
this state is DISTINGUISHED not because he
Is black, but because he to be poor The only
way In which such an 0dl0us aristocratic principle
could become a law in this State, was to palm it
upon the people under COLOR OF their FOOLISH preu-
dice against the negro race Away with this relic OF
Old world aristocracyi II you wish to disrranchfse
above board but do not drive people from the polls
because they are poor. "a mans man for a.
that 1t is as desirable that the andless aborer
CHI IN vp IN hl0 10 tl,net
and pursuit OF happiness F" as that Commodore Van.
derbt should have the elective franchise to protect
his ships and his railroads.
II democratic papers and speakers should come
out in defence OF the iibera policy Of excluding the
poor men from the polls they Will show themselves
utterly unworthy or their parry name. The undemO-
cratic and anttrepublcan character OF the measure
becomes more apparent from ITS application to
small class OF citizens. We hail with pleasure the
speedy relief which the new constitution promises
TO afford us against most odious and illibera dis.
elimination.
Probably less determined stand against this i'm.
provement will be taken by the arstocras from the
TACT that the fifteenth amendment Will soon do away
with the injustice whether they will not. II Is
due to our sell respect and honor citizens OF the
Empire State that we should hasten 10 remove from
our fundamental law this anomaly and reproach be-
fore tie national constitution shall intervene and DO
1t for US.
The vote on this point is to be taken on separate
ballot Besides voting 'Tor the amended constltu-
tlon," or against the amended CONSTITUTIONS each
voter VIII cast ballot .for the property qualinca
on sn for Of o Of aSd 'ne properly a
new constitution rs whole be adopted or rejected,
the vote the property qualification clause Will be
valid either to continue II part OF the constitu-
ton or to abolish IL. .t
Lei us show our worthiness TO enjoy our political
privileges by generously sharing them with the
poorest and most unfortunate OF our fellow citizens.
Let the Just and generous provision prevail and be-
come part OF orr fundamental law, whether In the
new constitution or tho old.
The Tnnmany Programme from an Interior
Point OF View.
from the Bnghamton Republican, July 14.l
The political programme announced at fammany
Hail al The rccent celehrntlon by Lldvn l,arvln Of