The New York herald., 1874-11-21

whether they agreed to the amendments and the
people would hold them responsible for their de-
clsion. He thought the section under considera-
tion might be submitted TO the people as distinct
amendment, and SO any inconvenience might be
avoided.
Mr.. Parmenter (democran spoke In favor OF
striking out the section. He considered that the
Senate could do so without affecting the remain
der OF the article, and the justice OF doing so was
not disputed. The motion 10 strike out section
OF article was then adopted by a vote of26 TO 2.
THE HOUSE DEBATE.
In the House an animated debate arose on a
similar motion TO strike out section OF article
made in inserting the section referred to, ana lie
was also OF opinion that It would not be indorsel
by the people. Ee regarded 1t, however, as an In
dependent propostlon which could be stricKen
out without endangering the article.
Mr. Beene said .ne LEGISLATURE was required 10
tirety. and IL would be extremely unsafe 10 mu.
tiate II IN accordance with the verbal opinion OF
some iegai gentlemen. Tney had no right 70 as
that the people would not indorse this fourth
section. The article was regarded as complete
entity by the last House, and they had no right to
separate any portion OF IT, The action proposed
would be nothing but mere mockery OF legisia-
Mr.. Weed regarded the section az an insuper-
able objection. II would work great hardshlps
upon the people, and perhaps lead TO unfortunate
complications. de was not opposed to the re-
malnder Of the article but could not vote with
TINS section IN 1t.
(Mr. Prnce) had lacked down from the ground
occupied by MIN previously, which was that
tQtSe ARTICLES COulu not Ue aulelutu IN any way.
He Thought that the article embodied the principle
that the Assembly and senatorial districts should
remain as they are forever. u TINS secton -
stricken out we change principle adopted 0y the
last Legislature. III We change section we radi-
cay change the principle OF the article and II Will
embody an entirely dinerent principle. he did
not think the section could be touched without
endangerng the passage or the validity or the
article.
Mr.. Prince called attention to the fact that this
article contained mt important provisions respecting
general ana special legislation. He thought there
ahOut
posed course, but ne was willing that the amend
ment should be committed without instructions,
SO tnat ample legal advice might be obtained.
On the dnal vote the motion to strike out was
carried by large majority.
THE OTHER IRREGULARITY.
In the amendment TO artlcle as passed by the
Legislature or 1878, paragraph 6, runs as tollows:
dispose Of the Erie Canal the oswego Canal, the
Cnamplain Canal, the Black River Canal or the
Cayuga and seaeca ., Canal, but they shall remain
ment forevern The Legislature OF 1874 struck
out the Black River Canal from these conditions,
entirety. But 1t was clearly proved tnat the men
ton Of the Black River Canal was done surrepti-
tiously, and the Clerks journals artested the TACT
TO the satisfaction OF House aud Senate. No
will be likely to entertain case as regards
concluded II Is safely out OF the woods.
THE DEATH OF SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
II may be as well to cite here the exact words
OF that part OF the amendment to article which
Is so exercising the thoughts Of every commercial
member o. the LEGISLATURE and every lobbyist and
bany next winter. Paragraph Is says:-The
Legislature shall not pass private or local bill
In any OF the following cases:-
Changing the names OF persons
Laying out, opening, altering working or discon-
tnuing roads, highways or alleys, or for draining
Locating Locating or G ehanging county seats: ...,
Incorporating villages
Providing tor election of members Of boards of SUPER
visors.
selecting drawing, summonins or impanelling grand
or petlt jurors
lhe opening ana conducting of elections or designating
places OF voting.
allowances OF public officers during the term tor which
SAID Officers "a are ans elected or apponsd
the right 10 lay down railroad tracks
diydaa any exclusive privilege immunity or irancnse
Providing for building bridges chartering compa-
MES Tor such PURPOSES except on the hudson River be-
forming part OF the boundaries of the State.
THE FIRST LOST AMENDMENT.
eaea as Wnr U na wnc ae Was ae
and Secre tary OF State should be chosen at the
same general election and Tor the same term as
the Governor; the Attorney and State Engineer
and Surveyor to be appointed by the Governor.
TO hold their offices until the end OF the term Of
a superintendent OF State Prisons to be appointed
by the Governor and hold his Off1ce Ave years;
the Treasurer to be chosen by the Senate and AS
semby in JOINT ballot, and to hold his onlce Tor
three years; the Lieutenant Governor, Comp
81 ase m s
commissioners OF the Land ONCE; the office Of
Commissioner OF the Canal Fund to be abolished
and the duties to be performed by the Comptroller;
the Cana! Board to consist oI tile Lieutenant
Governor, Secretary OF STATE, Treasurer, Attorney
General, State Engineer and Surveyor and Super
intendeEt OF Public Works. superintendent OF
public works to be appointed by the Governor.
HIS duties are the execution OF all laws relating
TO the repair and navigation OF the canals, and
also OF those relating to the construction and I'm
prOvementS Ol The canals. All other persons EN-.
ployed Ia the care and management OF the canals,
except collectors OF tolls and those In the Depart
ment OF the State Engineer and Surveyor. TO be
appointed by the superintendent oil Public Works,
and be subject to removal or suspension by him.
The superlntendent TO perform all the duties or
the Canal commissioners and Board OF Canal Com
mlSslOners.
This excellent amendment was passed by the
Legislature OF 1873; was defeated IN that OF 1874
There was grand rally OF the canal interests,
ana, through corrupt combination OF democrats
and republicans, the proposed measure was Killed,
not, however, before q vigorous struggle on the
part OF the few honest reormers IN both houses.
THE SECOND LOST AMENDMENT.
The amendment to article 6, which shared the
OF the several towns should, at their annual town
meeting, elect Justices OF the peace for our years.
In case an election to I'LL vacancy occurring
before the expiration OIL O iull term, they should
hold office Tor the residue OF the uEexpired term,
their number and classification to be regulated 10y
law. Justices OF the peace and judges or justices
OF inferior courts not OF record, and their clerks,
might be removed by such courts as might be
prescribed. Judicial oIicers OF courts not OF
record In the several cities OF the State, having
population OF not less than 300 000 TO be appointed
by the Governor for four years. All other judicial
officers cltes not otherwise provided for In the
article, to be chosen by the electors OF cities or
fAA hu fhn no. q n ftny