The New York herald., 1874-10-27
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

Meeting Of Representative Bodies ut tho
Chamber OF Comm ereo-A Favorable
Vote Anticipated.
Yesterday afternoon . joint meeting OF commit
tees OF the Chamber OF Commerce, Importers and
Grocers' Board. Butter and Cheese Exchange Che ap
Transportation Association, the German Property
Holders Association and the Union League
Council OF Political Reform was held at the rooms
OF the Chamber OF Commerce to determine what
means should be adopted for the printing and dis
trtbuton OF ballots to insure the adoption OF
the constitutional amendments On motion OF
MIR. John +. henry the chair was taken by Mr.
Royal Phelps.
Mr.. J. w. THURBER chairman OF the Committee
on Ballots. in response to the inquiry OF Mr..
Phelps, stated that plan had been determined
upon to the effect that ballot should be inclosed
In an envelope to every registered voter in the
city with the Endorsement OF the Chamber OF Com
merce, as well ~ that of the other bodies In favor
OF the constitutional amendments. The expense,
he said. including printing. postage and directing
would not exceed $Sl1 90 The report was unani-
mously adopted.
Mr.. ERLANGER, who represented the German
Independent Citizens Association, explained the
necessity OF having the amendments printed in
German as well as in English, SO that the German
voters could at once grasp at the importance or
the amendments proposed
On motion Of Mr. HENRY 1t was resolved to
send the ballots to the Brooklyn voters and at the
suggestion OF the Chairman IL was agreed that the
expenses should be betrayed BY the bodies repre-
Several suggestions we're subsequently made In
reference 70 the distribution OF the ballots
throughout the State, the argument having been
put forth that many were disposed TO shirk the re-
sponsiblliity Of voting lor the amendments owing
to the amount OF local patronage when might be
Withdrawn from interested parties.
Mr.. GEORGE OPDYKE thought that the meeting
should connne It's Iabors to tnis city and not med
ole with the distribution OF the ballots through the
State.
the attention OF the meeting to the importance Of
the fact that very few people thoroughly under
stood the nature OF the amendments proposed. He
voters.
The CHAIRMAN differed entirely from the views
entertained IN reference to the necessity OF pub
lie meeting public meeting was the very last
resort, and should be held only on great occasions
the the voters voters OF New York would appreciate the i'm
| portance OF the proposed amendments; II not, IL
was their own faat. Iney certainly nad sa1cien M At
amendments would prove benefit TO the people
OF the city. and ne could not believe that Tam.
many Hall was going TO oppose them; but, II so, II
would be done only o. lot oil dirty hangers on Oi
the institution-by politicians who worked 70!
to imagine that the amendments would not be
carried by an overwhelming vote. Under all the
circumstances, therefore, he thoughp there was no
use in frightening the citizens by public meeting
on the subject.
Mr.. OPDYKE intimated that the Tammany organ
iZation had printed the whole amendments Tor
distribution, with the exception OF two which had
been crossed out. He hoped ne was in error on
this point but the fact OF emitting two important
amendments would amount TO q negative vote.
Mr.. BEERS, OF the Council OF Political Reform,
Informed the meeting that the people throughout
the state had been thoroughly supplied with bal
lots and that responsible officers both political
parties had interested themselves in their dstri-
button There was little doubt Of an overwhelming
vote Tor the amendments
1t was subsequently resolved to invite the Board
of Trade and the Produce Exchange to cooperate
with the various committees selected to carry out
the views OF the meeting.
The Chairman read letter from Mr.. w. Butler
Duncan, indorsing the objects OF the meeting.
The following gentlemen were appointed 70 carry
the action OF the meeting INTO effect:-GeOrge
Opdyke. representing the Chamber oil Comme rec,
as chairman OF the sub-c0mmittee John r. Henry.
representing Chamber oil Commerce; Harvey Far
rIn2ton. representing Importers and Grocers'
Board OF Trade; X. P. Baker, representing
Cheap Transportation Associations; M. Elinger,
representing German Independent Citzens Asso-
ciatlon; r. s. Doy, representing Butter and
Board OF Trade; D. W. Lewis, representing Prod
uce Exchange; +. B. Thurber, represen ting
Chamber Of Commerce, secretary OF sub committee.