The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-27
MEsSlsE OF GOVERNOR HOFFMAN.
Proposed Amendment to the Constitution
Stringent Penalties for Bribery.
ALBANY, Jan. 20, 1871.
ming sent 10 the Senate the

ALBANY, Jan. 70, 1871.
The Governor this morning sent to the Senate the
following mcssage:-
TO TIER Lsals.Ar
lne &c; and iarmipded men q all parties agree
tom. the corrupt money 70 inauencs the votes Of
electors All laws and which aim a, cstabishna
sss 'i ga sa sssT
privilege be naaencsd IN the Exercise q
n IL a. countries The purchase Offices civil
snSane G''s he
ana structure Of the government cannot be
federal and State arc often bestowed for the
OF 10 N
secures nominations and controis results
..;s An
and dsSauchns very often the smos
practice Is not peculiar to cities and villages pefvades
pracsed win entire impsnty because under The ss.
,.,ng constitution and laws the wronsdOers know
We snail have elections until strike out the
VITA sufficient against wrong to correct l. What
absolutely necessary Is that some men wac seek theown
aud punished as criminals.
ar more important to punish the who tempt and
CORRUPT than him Who being tempted yields and falls
uner our present laws may be excluding
bribery Ia ceny OF infamous crime and depvng
hon Of the right 81 Voting al sach SECTION And this is ali
that can be done , under the existing grosssns
solutions proposing amendments the Senate As
Rcmby 1865 but fa TO receive the Legsa-
te chosen at the next election OF Senator's These esou
lions foilows:-
In Assembly, April !, ls5s--Resolatons proposing an
amt eminent 10 the constitutional
OF tue constitution of this State be amended by inserting
therein Immediately after the word election where first
occurs In said section, oliows:Or shall pay, give
or receive. promise to gvc other
properly valuable confederation with intent TO influence
any cector in giving MS voe deter ecctor from
voting also by adding at the end said section, fol-
lowsOr from holding Office voted for at such election
Laws may also he passed for determining In summary
manner the polls question affecting the right of
person TO vote tberea that said section amended,
shall read oowsLaws may be passed excluding from
the right OF suffrage all persons who have been may
DO convicted OF bribery larceny of any Infamous
crime, and for derrving every person who shall
make or become directly indirectly interested in
any bet depending the reut Of any election,
other property valuable consideration with
tent to influence elscor in giving his deter
eiecor from voting from the such
from heding any oice voted at such election Laws
also be passed for determining In summary
the pos Any question affecting the right Of any person
vote nj such election.
esolved If the Senate concur That said amendment TO
said section two be referred to the Legislature be
a. the next general election Of that
section article thirteen the pub
shed for three mouths previous to the time of
ton"
Respectfully the adoption these resolutions
by the present Legislature, with such notifications any,
new Senate being chosen next November) may act upon
them and, az trust they will do them and sead
thcm for approval 10 the people.
JOHN T. HOFFMAN