New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-29
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

The proDosed amendments to the Constltu-
ton have now been adopted by two separate
and distinct Legislatures, and nothing remains
IN be done to complete the work, except the
approval Of the people, who are to vote on
the several concurrent resolutions next No
vembeT.
The amendments to Article H. relate to
bribery at elections. We cannot see that their
incorporation in the Constitution will have
any tendency to make the practice more prev
alent than it is
Those to Article III. relate to the Legsla-
ture. They include provision for an annual
salary of fifteen hundred dollars for the MEM
bers; exclude officers under any municipal
government from membership of the Senate
or Assembly prohibit the acceptance of any
municipal office by a member of the Senate or
Assembly during the term for which he has
been elected and forbid the passage of pri-
vate or local bills in certain specified cases.
They also include several minor restrictions
on the powers of the Legislature as now ex-
ercised.
The changes proposed in Article w. are
important. The Governor and Lieutenant
Governor are to hold Office for three years
The salary of the former is to be raised to
$4,000 and that of the latter reduced to
$1,000. In any bill coming before the Gov
ernor for signature containing several items
appropriating money he may veto one or
more such items while approving the rest
Article V. if amended as proposed, will do
away with the present Canal Commissioners
and Prison Inspectors, and invest the Cover
nor with the power of appointing. subject to
H.. thn
General, State Engineer, Superintendent OF
Public Works, and Superintendent of Prisons.
1t is further provided that the Treasurer shall
be elected by the Legislature, instead of by
the people, as at present.
The amendments to Article vi. which are
not otherwise Of much consequence, provide
for the appointment hereafter by the Govern or
of judicial officers of courts not Of record in
the cities of New-York and Brooklyn.
The changes proposed in Article VII. will
allow the Genesee Valley. Chemung, Chenango,
and Crooked Lake canals to be sold and pre-
vent the money belonging to Sinking Funds
for the extinguishment of the State debt from
being diverted to other purposes.
The most important of the amendments to
Article VIII. forbds counties. cities, towns,
and villages to loan their credit or give money
to associations and corporations, or to become
owners of stock in them.
We have very briefly sketched the principal
changes which it is proposed to make in the
Constitution. Before the election is held we
shall publish the various sections as they
stand in the existing Constitution side by side
with the same sections as they will read if
amended The precise changes submitted to
the people for their final action cannot be
clearly and fully understood except by such a
comparison.
There is grave doubt as to the right of
the present Legislature to divide and change
the amendments, and it is not impossible that,
after all, its action may result in frustrating
the design OF those who are concerned
in attempting to get genuine improvements
in our organic law. But this is question for
the Courts, and it only affects we believe. in
any case, single one Of the amendments.
The increase in the salary of the Governor
and the addition to the length of his term, the
provision for the appointment instead OF
election OF the Attorney General, State En-
gineer, Superintendent of Public Works, and
Superintendent of Prisons, and for the election
by the Legislature of the Treasurer, the plan
for getting utterly rid Of the worthless side
canals, and the peremptory prohibition OF the
furtheri increase of the already shockingly
swollen municipal indebtedness, which con-
stitutes ono of tho great dangers Of the
tuture-all these seem 70 u measures aiming