The New York herald., 1873-07-09
NEW JERSEY CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Vacancies Filled by Governor Parker
Long Debates Over the Prelimin N aries.

Vacancies Filled by Governor Parker
Long Debates Over the Preliminaries.
The New Jersey Constitutional Commission,
selected for the purpose OF suggesting amend
ments to the fundamental law OF the State,
resumed its session In the Senate Chamber,
at Trenton, yesterday, after recess Of two
months. The four vacancies occasioned by
the death OF ex-Chancenor Zabriskie and the
designations Of Messrs. Runyon, Beasley and Ryer-
son, were filed by Governor Parker, who sent in
the following names second district-Philome
Dickinson, vice Beasey, O resident Of Trenton and
president OF banking company In that city for
the past thirty years. Fourth district-Joseph
Thompson vice Ryerson. He Is q wealthy farmer
and q resident OF Somerset county, where he
holds the position OF Judge of the Court OF Com
mon Pleas. Sixth district-George ]. Ferry, vice
Runy on, is leading manufacturer and resident
OF Orange Sussex county. Seventh dstrict-Dud-
ley $. Gregory. vice Zabriskie, is an ex-Congress
man, and at one time candidate for United States
Senator rom New Jersey. He Is resident OF Jer-
The present complexion Of the commission pre-
sents ak lawyers and eight representatives from
the commercial, manufacturing, agricultural and
other Industrial avocations or the State This
course pursued by the Governor will tend greatly
TO conciliate the people OF the State for the mis-
takes made BY him In his first appoin tments Then
the convention consisted Of ten lawyers and four
OF other caliings.
At ten minutes past ten O'Clock the Secretary
called the meeting to order, when the following
gentlemen answered to their names :-Messrs.
Buckley, Taylor, Babcock, Thompson, Gregory and
Ferry. Absent-Messrs. Dickinson and Gray. Mr..
OF the Convent on IN place OF A o. zabriskie,
deceased. He was unanimously elected
already framed, deep consideration should be
gwen to the securing OF pure elective franchise,
a wise and efficient administration of the laws,
correction OF evils In the present mode of legsla-
ton. This report recommended that the work to
be done be classified under the following heads:-
First. legislative department. bill of rights
Third judiciary; fourth, appointing power and
tenure OF otiice NTH, future smendments, gen.
eral provisions and fnal revisions. 1t Is also re-
commended that five committees be appointed by
the President OF the Commission, to each of whom
eral heads and subjects just stated. And that the
committee taking charge OF the first SUBJECTIVE,
sufrrage, shall consist of nye members and the
other committees OF three members each, and that
the commission shall meet at ten O'CLOCK In the
forenoon and adjourn at three O'Clock In the alter
noon, while In session, unless otherwise ordered.
The reading OF this report gave rise to consider
ing which Messrs. Gilchrist, Buckley, TAYLOR and
Swayze took an active part. The latter gentleman
the s as
He said the Commission did not represent the body
OF the people, 1t only represented select few He
aside altogether. Mr.. Giichrist was in
favor Of having the subject embraced
the matters Of special legislation. This subject OF
special legislation, he said, had taken up nine
tenths Of the time Of the Legislature, and ne sug &
gested tnat II should be considered alone and by
itself. Several other amendments and suggestions
were offered when the :. following sub
sttute, ae proposed by Mr. Taylor, was
adopted THAT the WORK OF the Commission
be subdlvlded under the following heads First,
bill OF rights; second, rights OF suffrage; third,
limitation upon powers OF government; fourth,
general and special legislation; fith, Legislative
department; sixth, executive; seventh, judiciary:
ninth, future amendments; tenth, general pro-
vision and final revision. Four gentlemen voted
against It's adoption-Messrs. Canter Buckley,
Gregory and Ten Eyck-and nine In favor OF It,
protracted debate then sprung up on the question
OF the appointment OF committees to whom these
subjects should be referred. After some further
debate the meeting adjourned