The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-19
Tho Proposed Amendments TO the
state Constitution.

The Proposed Amendments to the
state Constitution.
Since our present State constitution was
framed the world is . quarter century older,
the State has largely increased in wealth and
population and many circumstances have
widely changed. S,t r.- ago it was ad-
mitted by all that W. iS.eyi 10 modify and
modernize the organic law. A convention for
that purpose assembled. in which the late Mr..
Greeley was particularly prominent. II passed
new constitution embracing very radical
changes. When submitted to the people the
verdict of the ballot boxes was against it,
Governor Hoffman advised that the subject
should be considered by a smaller commission,
and, being empowered by the Legislature, he
appointed, from the most experienced, judi
cious and intelligent men of the State Of all
political shades and representing a great
variety of interests commission authorized
to propose amendments which will bring the
constitution into proper relation with existing
facts. Since December this body has been
discussing and celebrating. It's work is now
complete and its conclusions reported to the
Legislature in amendments which, in the
judgment of the Commission, the rights and
interests of the State required as notifications
of the constitution of 1916. To give these pro-
posed amendments the validity Of law they
must be approved by the present Senate and
Assembly, be also passed by both houses next
year, then submitted to the people, when, if
they receive the affirmative vote of majority,
the constitution, as amended by them, will
become the fundamental law Of the State on
the LIST day of January, 1875
Wherever the old constitution was judged to
be well enough it has been let alone, judicious
repair and not thorough reconstruction appear
ing to have been the rule kept in view.
Among the changes proposed we note the fol-
lowing The property qualification formerly
required of negro citizens before being allowed
to vote is to be erased. Stringent provisions
are made against bribery and corruption in
elections, and all officers against whom these
charges are proved are declared incompetent
and their election void. Officers will be re-
quired to embody in their oath of Office
a declaration that they have spent no money
or given or promised any valuable thing to
influence or secure votes. The Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and Comptroller are to
be elected for three years. The Governor is to
have salary of ten thousand dollars year,
with the use of suitable house. Lieutenant
Governors salary, four thousand dollars
ComptroIer's, six thousand Secretary of
State, Attorney General and State Engineer
and Surveyor to be appointed by the Governor
and Senate. One Superintendent Of State
Prisons instead of the present three State
Prison Inspectors, to be appointed for five
years by the Governor and Senate. He is to
name all prison officers except clerks, who are
to be appointed by the Comptroller. A Super
intendent of Public Works is to be appointed
for three years by the Governor and Senate, to
have charge of the canals, instead Of three
Canal Commissioners. A State Treasurer is to
be elected by the Senate and Assembly in joint
ballot, to hold Office three years.
Instead of the State being divided into
thirty-two Senatorial districts with member
for each, it is to form eight districts, each
electing four members These are to be so
of the State the increased representation to
which it's rapid growth of population entities
it. Now, Kings county has two Senators;
Queens, Suffolk and Richmond one; New
York FIVE; Westchester, Rockland and Put
nam one. By the amendment Kings, Queens,
and choose four Senators. New York, south
of Twenty-sixth street, another district, will
have four more; the balance of New York, with
Westchester, Suffolk and Rockland forming
the Third district, will give to the counties
above named twelve Senators instead OF nine.
The Senators first chosen in each district are
to be divided into four classes-one to hold
Office one year; the others two, three and
four years, respectively; one Senator be-
ing elected from each district each year,
subsequently to hold Office four years.
Thus three-fourths Of the Senator'S will
be experienced in their duty. Members
of the Assembly are to be, as now, one
hundred and twenty-eight, chosen in
single districts for one year. Each
member of the Legislature is to have salary
of one thousand dollars year Bills to pass
are required to receive the vote Of o majority
Of all the members elected, and to become
laws after the Governors veto they must have
the vote of two-thirds of all elected in Zach
branch Special legislation is prohibited in
large number of cases specified. Among these
are the granting Of exclusive powers and
franchises to individuals and corporations and
the comforting of authority to locate railroad
tracks. Special, local and private bills must
be introduced within the first sixty days of the
session, unless by consent of three-fourths
Every tax levy shall receive the assent of three
ffths of both houses. All city governments
are to be on uniform plan, in which mayors