New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-05


under the system Of challenging on the day OF election
Upon prineple registry law any Be pas.sd shepd
tSat inseissnt public opinion in inc rural aistnsss
among men all parties does not favor one there me
trets from such law, very great, With no adequate
good result In compensation The CONVICTION however
ps rss.rg laws cam &c made Useful in securing
purity q the ballot; and this conviction Is % strong that
the continuance of the system In the larger ces may DC
previous TO an election should e made q little vera
ssny proper q the per
son CLAIMING the right 70 S01e ndd a not the
Vince Of registry law TO dsano the gualscations Of
taken away b. act Of the sssture except IN the few
WORK The actual on the day Of election
absence rom home or s NOT having arrived at fall
until after the last day Of registry, vas unable TO have
The COMPLAINTS With regard to the late election in Now
Of se counting Of ballots and false returns b. Inspoe
tors Of Election The general suspicion OF the
s e iae an an people led TO seere
extensively win neglect 70 vote, and win lose their
habit 81 ~ 1nde ei 70 fps Of
worst lie nature and in It's effects ard should be pun
ismore likely TO cverturn our Government than any
nss os1 r. s
TO acts Of open war AGAINST me sta,e ~
OSsrta and b By foroe The crime q making
Of votes east at an election Of the nature
and destroy the rights Of the true sovereign in our Gov
ernment-the people. u.r.,.v car, ,,,rs
10 any species Of oense against the laws and
those imposed should be sufficiently severe to deter
from committing crimes yet not 90 extreme as 70 30
likely TO protect them from conviction Efectual laws
ssans bribery Of The anS Sross Sao Se night
OF challenge election day, seVefe penalues agalnst
10 Se og the n preeon q the ballot and viii suffice
IL cizens juIes and public officers will do their duty.
PURITY OF LEGISLATION.
The people be too fully awakened to the dang
ers nseparabe from the growth Of moneyed power In
this country whether welded by Individuals or corpora
tions. II makes itself felt everywhere In our politics,
and aims to control and too often does control, legis
lation in Federal and State capitals. We cannot d.
rectly strike OF IL In other States, or at Washington
but begin at the capital Of our own Stats,
belief that much important legislation In past years
This This belief is So general and widespread, that i
Is due to the people that there should De pfSmP,
swell founded II it be co. guilty shond he brought
justice under existing laws that possible not
may Hereafter arise people win be slow to obey laws
Their demand to-day not for municipal reform only but
for reform In every department OF government state ana
ity whether executive or legislative, to be eheerully
obeyed, must be respected and hon0red
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
few years ago the people of this State voted In favor
OF holding a Convention to flame new Constitution,
thus expressing dissatisfaction with the existing
Constitution. The Convention was held but on the re-
suit of its deliberations being submitted to vote the
people rejected the proposed instrument with the
exception of article, to wit that relating to the Ju
dietary IA ia not fair inference from this action OF the
peope that they desired Convention for the single end
Of amending the judicial system Of the state. mat
ling after due consideration by the legislature single
amendment, covering the one subject Inc vote OF the
Pizsd defects in our existing CONSTITUTION The
vote rejecting the substitute proposed Dy the oonven-
Ss s%eseSed Il for these defects not sufficient
satisfactory. .,.., . A., GA. a,
very defective az framework of efficient republican
tRs Sa os Of The state is
larger that of the whole Union when the Const
our state has In fact the number Of people and the
great interests protected by Its laws the proportions
fort welfare and happiness Of the people are affected
In much greater degree by the laws OF the state and
the manner OF their enforcement, than by the opera
tons of the General Government The title TO property
and rights Of and the restraints upon the owners OF
propery arc regulated by State laws. Tho enforcement
of business contracts OF every nature In the main III
the hands Of the State Courts Inc deteGuo9 anu
stances, upon the enactment OF proper cfnla "s
the State Legislature and their due enforcement Ihe
order Of the community is under the guardianship OF
state laws and dependent upon state Ior US
preservation The powers OF our Municipal Governments
whose action influences still more sensby the peace anu
SS y c s ho" is
t IS matter of transcendent Importance 10 every
Of
wjsey-constructed framework OF government adapted
20 secure the most wholesome legislation the most en-
Gent enforcement OF law, the most faithful adnlns
of its affairs, and an uninterrupted maintenance OF
order. - . 49,, ,,o. A.
10 revise the Constitution at this time The attention OF
the people will be much engrossed this year b te ffes
Mental election; but trust that, Immediately after
that event. efforts Of oar best citizens OF all parties
will be united to effect thorough revision Nor am
sure that nventon Is necessary or the best means
by which attain the end. Commission OF W eminent
citizens be made up by selection OF an equal nuDe
nIl af
larger body Such Commission could have all the ben
eft the debate incident to Larger body through IN
e9ept discussions in the press and the voluntary sug
gestiOns OF thoughtful citizens ana would DC almost GER
tain agree upon amendments wnlch woud secure tne
II Won should be OF the opinion that II is wise TO ap
point commission, there can be no objection 10 your
creating it this session. Its report would not Dc maze
until after the Presidential election, when the public
mind would be in condition TO examine calmly ana 70
decide wisely True, 1t is not the mode provided IN the
nresent Constitution for revision OF that instrument
but connot be doubted hata Constitution prepared py
snch commission and submitted by them 10 the Legisa
ture and by the Legislature submitted TO the people
III due FORM would, II approved Dy Vole OF
tho people be regularly established and become subst
tucd Tor the present Constitution You have, more
over the constitutional power to originate any amend,
mens to the existing Constitution and II the same shall
be concurred by the Legislature TO be chosen In lS
they may submitted TO direct vote OF the people
aud approved by them VIII become part part OF h te
organic OF the State Is full OF serious defects that
pointing out the particulars in which, in Judgment.
Il fails OF securing TO US the best possible al
minstratiOn OF our public affairs.
Mindful OF the fact that the majority OF Legislature
and the Executive OF opposed political parties re-
ran from discussing questions connected with the adj
ministration of the Federal Government upon which
our opinOns and views would widely differ; hoping that
in dealing with the home affairs of the State we may be
able work together, earnestly and heartily for the
JOHN r. HOFFMAN.
PERSONAL.