The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-03


OF them 1t Is not right TO rely solely upon the Gov.
ernor to review prop0 cd legislation. II mast hap
pen. under the present habit OF passing laws tnat
bills WILL at every session, receive the Executive
approval containing provisions which escape his
cSis ~ se n NO na ensc,ed The neooe
must do their part, Ia guarding against improper
legislation. when selecting their representatives In
the Legisature and the organic law should be so
framed as to promote wise selection.
Provision ought TO be made IN the constitution
securing the actual reading OF every proposed law
on three separate days In each House, and forbid.
ding any substitute Tor the full and free discussion
which pertains to consideration OF bill In Commit
The provision In the existing constitution limiting
the session OF the Legislature 100 days has had
amount or legislatlOn IL has Simply caused tue
members TO act with tne more haste Inc restriction
10 Senators and AssemDlymen. There Is no true
economy in withholding from public servants Just
compensation for their labor.
As a better restraint upon undue prolongatton OF
Q session suggest that power should De given to
time after it shall have been In session for 100 days
The chief ofice OF q Senate should be to review
improvident hasty OR unwlse legisation and for
the best discharge OF this duty 1t should be COM
Imports that 1t Is to be council Of men Of long ex.
pericnce. Every tnducement should be held out TO
pubic cannot expect, any more taan private per-
son. to command valuable services unless II oners
who the rms sTas Of an Once
Ia often more powerful inducement 10
me class q men we need in the public ser. ser,
vice. long term anu q large constituency
would greatly enhance the dignity OF the once
Of Senator, aud make attractive to our most dis
tingulshed citizens. Ii the senatorial term were
made four or five years and the State were divided
into small number Of Senatorial districts, so as to
throw rhe choice OF Senator upon large cOnstitu-
ency. and the compensation made fair one. do
not doubt that the aolest and most experienced OF
our puolic men would be found ready TO apply
themselves in the Senate to the important duty OF
securing good laws for the people.
In the constitution OF the House OF Assembly no
Improvement suggests itself TO me except to abol-
ish the single Assembly districts, as now established,
and restore county representation-that is to say,
Assemblymen to which 1t Is entitled upon general
ticket
In respect to the Judicial Department the action
OF the people Is 81 recent in adopting the new sixth
article OF The constitution still further action on
their part next year upon the mode OF selecting
judges IN the future being also already provided
iorl tnat 1t would not DO wise to have any changes
Among the general provisions Of the constitution
there ought 10 be one limiting the amount OF lndeDt
ing the purposes for which II may be incurred Unit
tormiy OF the several classes OF local governments
constitutional guarantee, so as TO prevent special
legislation with regard to them. 1t is impractcable
Tor all our cities. But there are certain funda-
mental characteristics which ought to be found in
all city charters ana ought 10 be secured by constl
There should be more specific constitutional re-
siralnts upon legislative power to grant speca
glsaon generally; upon Legislative awards 81 ex.
ira compensation 10 claimants under contracts ana
otherwise; all Of which tend greatly TO cucumber
the statute book, demoralize the Legislature and
deplee the Treasury
The veto power needs TO be made more enectua
TwO-thirds OF all the members elected TO either
House should be required 10 overrule veto, and
where Oil contains several Items OF appropriation
OF money the Governor should be authorized to re-
fuse his assent 10 one or more Of tue items While
approving OF Others
have dwet at this length upon the defects, as
they appear 10 me, Of our present constitution, as
the pest method or inviting attention OH the part OF
the Legislature aud the people TO the subject.
The excitement OF a long war ana the events sue.
ceedlng 1t have operated to divert our attention
from our immediate nome a1alrS. IL Is time we be.
gan to look at them.
The trainers OF the constitution OF ls46 eager for
decentralization or power, made the mistake Of sup
apart and discOnnccting the machinery whereby the
State government IL to be carried on and by multi
plying the number OF elective officers Decentral.
lZation consists IN giving to the people or every
county or other political subdivision complete con-
troll Of their own proper local affairs, not in giving
to the people OF county the selection OF state
nected with the general affairs OF the state and the
enforcement OF the laws OF the State. IL Is sn2u-
lar that true decentralization, which Is to be found
in charging the powers OF the Boards Of Supervisors
OF the several counties, was not provided for In the
| constitution except by leaving the matter to be
/ regulated by the Legislature
Or the var Gus methods by which revision Of
the constitution may ne undertaken my preference
| Is for the appointment OF commission consist
| Ing OF thlrty-two members; and recommend the
! passage OF an act for the appointment OF such a
| commission.
Mindful OF the fact that the majority OF the Legs.
ature ana me Executive are or opposed political
neced with the administration OF the federal gov
eminent, upon which our opinions and views would
widely difer, hoping that In dealing with the home
alrs OF the State may be able to work together
earnestly and heartily for the promotion OF the gen.
eral welfare oil our people.
JOHN T. HOFFMAN.