New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-11
RING DESPERATION IN PHlLADEL-
PHIA.

SCHEMES TO DFFEAT TIE NJ" CoNSiliO iioN
TRAoRDINARY ACTION OF cHIEF-JUsrICE READ
RIGHT OF THE CONVENTION TO ORDER SPECIAL
ELECTION IN PHILADELPHIA
(By TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
PurtlDrLPHIA, Nov. 10.-The opponents of
tho new Constitution in this city already beginning
an active bitter and dnscrupul0us campaign against H.
IN MANY Of the wards secret meetings Will DC heid To-
night at which will be advised by trusty
messengers the Ring 10 the best measures 70 DC
taken But the heaviest blow will be dealt DAY OF t"O
II said by the hand OF the old Chief Justice, who last
month invoked the enonng power OF the Court to stay
nj, Investigation INTO the State finances under Maekay
unt after the election lie has now 1t Is understood
upon good authority, written letter TO prominent
citizen in which he prOelams the clause IN the ne"
Constitution which provides for vote In Philadelphia
under the conduct Of a Special Commission unlawful.
This letter, in which he prejudges case that IN ali
probability will come before him for judiclai
determinations indicates that he w0uld rejoice
IN have some ono sue out before him WITT
OF Injunction 10 restrain the Commissioners rom
acting under tho law. ChieiJustlce Head
Tins makes common cause with Secretary OF State Quay
Who upon being instructed 10 issue circulars FOR the
conduct of Tie election. Dec TO- says that he VIII dse
gard the law OF the Convention which provides for
special election in philadelphia, and require the vote 10
he taken according The act Of the Legislature OF Apr
H. 1872 which provides that the election shal DO hed
under the general registry laws.
Theodore Cuyler principal counsel for the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company which was nit hard By the major
Ga, I'm the Convention says that almost the first thing OF
any importance discussed at Harrisburg after the Con
vpntion assembled the question how far the Hmla-
ious upon the power OF thosConVenton imposed by tue
act OF Assembly concerning that body were bnding
pnou them The most notable OF these limitations
were this very action requiring the new Constitution to
he voted upon under the General Registry laws, and the
,rov,sions that the Convection should not make sep
arate courts of equity or alter the Bill Of Rights.
After thorough discussion In convention lhciu0iDg
such men as ChicJustices jeremiah >. Black ana Geo.
w Woodward, Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, aud Senator
Charles X. Buekalew, aud after an exhaustive argu'
,nept by scnat0r Buckalew the Convention decided 0y
an almost unanimous vote that they could not be affected
nv these limitations. They subsequently dsregarded
Them altogether and made direct provisions on all tho
prohibited poluts. The argument OF tile convention IS
based upon the that the Legislature Is but the
aren't of the people. aud 80 only to the extent
and within tho limits prescribed by the Consti
tuition OF the state; that the Convention on the
contrary is an assembly Of the people themselves In
their primary capacity and that their powers cannot be
limited by any exercise of authority the part OF their
own subordinate agent. The Convention OF opinion
that repre- enting the people, no limit TO their authority
eNisteI except that which lay IN the rule prescribed In
te Constitution Of the United States guaranteeing 10
eaeh state q republican form OF government mus
thinking and believing, Dcat niCh IL INC
d that their power extended even 70 prOclaminS the
new Constitution without submitting IL to popular
vote but no one thought that such course was polite
or advisable This very scheme Of an election for Pel.
adephs under special commission. which, 1t IL said, Is
now sought to be overdden by Chief Justice Read and
Secretary OF state Quay devised by the venerable
and distinguished President OF the Convention himself
the Hon. William NJ. Meredith
This Commission for holding TIE election in Phis-
of he he st
against whose ability and honesty word Of suspicion
has ever been raised and they already going about
their work enersetcsy They say 10 reference to this
action OF State Secretary Quay that n the Legislature
may by it's act converting the Convention, limit its pow
ets az they attempted with reference TO the decar-
atiou OF rights they NAV in effect make themselves
spperor TO the COny which is the people IN their
immediate sovereign capacity. SO, also, II they
can prescribe how or by whom the election
can be held aud deprive tho Convention
from making provision An honest vote. they
myht In effect defeat any constitution or anything
which WAS Objectionable the corrupt majority 10 the
LEGISLATURE Ip anticipation OF some such proceedings
AZ are now contemplated by the Ring. through their
welnowB Instruments the Convention did not adjourn
> di, but TO meet A. the call OF the Chairman, that
an Injunction did restraining the Commissioners
h stitution would not through not being voted
mon al The time fixed. Already the Ring newspapers
the upirammeled New-York press for advice.