New-York tribune., 1873-02-01
A CONNECTICUT QUESTION.

AMENDING THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
THE MOVEMENT FOR A CONvENTT0N-THE DIF-
FERENT WAYS PROPOSED FOR CHANGING THB
CONsTrUn0N-vIEws OF REPRESENTATIVE
MEN.
lPRos THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRrBuxEl
HARTFORD, Jan. There is a very decided
movement throughout Connecticut for Constitutional
Convention and IL has the Endorsement OF many leading
men OF both political parties This latest movements
originated in Bridgeport which was set of from STRAIT
ford az separate town, and. under the provisions OF
the Constitution OF sls entitled 20 but represent
atve in the Legislature while scores OF smaller towns
have two because OF their original existence All new
admitted after the adoption OF the Constitution
entitled to but representative The movement
for Constitutional Convention will naturally be looked
upon effort the part OF the cities 10 increase
their power and the country towns, losing sight OF
everything clse will have certain degree OF Jealousy
which must be before the chances OF succeed
ing with the reform movement are made favorable
At present the prospects Of Convention not alto
gether promising Many people here do not understand
that proposition for Convention Is not the consi-
tutonal way marked out for amending the organic law
In it's present shape the people 10 take the matter tn
their own hands, regardless of constitutional require
ments.
TWO WAYS OF CHANGING THE cOSsTirJ rioS.
The old Constitution provides in n rather formal way
for amendments An amendment has first 70 be passed
by the Lower House then at the following session or
the General Assembly It has TO be passed by two
thirds vote each House. after winch IL has 10 be rated
by the electors. Now the initial question IS whether
the adoption of q new Constitution Is an amend
men OF the old II 1t is as some maintain II can
only adopted provided by che present Constitution
Others claim that the adoption OF entire new Consul
tuition cannot fairly be called amendment and thai
II it be actually sanctioned 10y majority OF the people
and comes to them orderly though In prescribed
way it then becomes the organic law OF the community
by kind OF peaceful revolution the Endorsement Of the
Constitution by the sovereignty beng declaration Oi
their choice of written government Upon this point
lawyers der perhaps the best legal talent ncines 10
the latter belief The way suggested Is 20 call the Con-
vention by concurrent action OF both Houses Which,
with the approval OF the Governor would seem To be ut
least equitable The old troublesome question whether
constituents of this Convention would be limited In their
choice the representatives therein TO persons residing
within their own geographical limits would probably he
prolific theme for discussion.
Ihave said that prominent men in both political par
ties are committed to the present proposition and have
obtained the opinions OF two representative party men
in this city, who both known all over the state. on
this question. | first had interview with the Hon.
Henry C. Robinson Republican, Mayor OF Hartford. a
lawyer of great ability, and his replies 10 my questions
are contained in the following summary OF his renark'
which cover the leading points involved:
THE VIEWS OF MAYOR ROBINSON
Mr. Robinson said his reason for wanting Co,.
sttutiona Convention WIS the injustice OF the present
system of representation in the Legislature. IL Is true
he sad that the cities st have greater influence up
on legislation than the number Of their representatives
would warrant but IL is effected by great outlay OF
time personal influence, and, in too many cases. ny
money think the present unequal system Of repre-
sentation does more to feed the iniquities OF the
lobby than any other single cause. TIL present system
Is entirely undemOcratie unAmerican and has 0utyed
its proprety 10 good system as long as the sna
towns were pretty nearly equal In population ana "a
long as the people of the State were generally engaged
in the same business pursuits. The temptation now to
impose the whole burden of State expenses uporrthe
cities This is in fact, done TO great degree. The
property of the cities Is assessed much nearer It's true
value than the property of the country towns ana ths
city corporations are pounced upon with great free-
dom. -.,. -. IL. g..
necessary 70 keep up town organization Tor every com
munty. This needless expense and IS utterly use
our whole Judiciary system needs radical revision
the Judges Of superior Court, which are our
His priVs tribunals adiudging almost everything ln-
voylng $500 or more, are chosen by the Leglsiate.
While the present bench of Connecticut Is decidedly
able one, and have at least nve judges who would
adorn the Supreme Court at Washington yet has nos
service aud other elements not absolutely needed 10
make good Judge, have too often controlled the sclec
lions OF Iecisat1ve caucuses The Judges OF all the
ferior courts must by the present Constitution, bo
chosen annually by the Legislature, which Is Oi course,
a ridiculous term of Office A competent lawyer can
hardly give up a respectable practice 10 assume the
office for 80 short term as one year Our juices OF
Probate also chosen annually which i mneh TOO
often The judges should be appointed 0y the Exeeu-
tive and confirmed by the Senate. the responsibility OF
the nomination should be thrown upon an indN Nidal
and not upon an inpersonal caucus. We have had no
Governor perhaps IN the history OF the State who would
have made unworthy nomination for a Judeeshlp.
An unworthy nomination by Governor would insure
for hun such undying reputation for intmy that re-
gard for his own good name would prevent him rom
making it il he not oictOus about the interests or
the state Tie Governor should also have exclusive
power for the pardon Of criminals and be held person.
ally responsible. Many legislative acts IN TINS regard
for the last twenty years would be udicrous enough
q farce, If their effect did not point too closely To
tragedy - ~. -, =, 49,. ,
The Governor is chosen too often, and We have alto
gether many elections lt IL TOO serious araln
upon the industries OF community to have t~o three
and sometimes four elections in year; ana election
The only relic Of that stupid Kind OF franchise known
as close charter remains on account OF the nyioapiy
of the present Constitution and this case Is the charter
of Yale College Practically our courts make siccessn
attempts TO open close CHARTERS by TIE EegsianIr,
and so only the of the thing remains AZ war with
At this 1oint incurred with regard to the partisan
considerations involved and Mr.. Robinson replied;
1.-The growth of the Republican party IN ihe popuions
cities will probably tend somewhat materially TO the
success of the present Convention. The
large Democratic majorities in Hartford and Newaye
in former years have been strong arguments TO the Re
pubioans, in "a partisan view, against Convention
The parties in Hartford about equal. and in
one. Bridgeport and Middetown are close; Norwich.
New. London. New Britain, Norwak, and Meridcn are
Republican; and Waterbury is moderately close
think the effect upon parties Is guess one side
would be likely 70 get just as much adyantage as the
other And besides, parties are changing IN year or
two probably, there will be new issues which VIII make
present political considerations altogether ont o the
question"
r. d. HUBBARD's OPINIONS.
The Hon. Richard d. Hubbard stands az the head OF
the bar in Connecticut and the Democratic cand
date for Governor last Spring In answer TO my nqui
res he said he had signed the call for Constitutional
Convention without any thought TO deails. and he
could not say what changes would be most likely 10 be
suggested in Convention The question OF amending
Constitution in the proposed Is complex
one and legal gentlemen will differ about H. though all
power with the people. and peaced III change Will
be submitted In speaking OF the matter OF town rep
resenation and the manifest injustice OF IL IN many
cases, Mr. Hubbard gave hit OF local history which
To no fo,Un pf Nak