New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-11
ALBANY.
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

MlSSION-HORSE TIlOTS AT
PRETENDED PHYSICIANS.
lFRoN THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNB.l
ALBANY, April 1O.-There was a very inter-
estng debate in the Senate to-day upon three amend
ments the Constitution introduced by Senator Woodin
the three being the amendment TO the Constitution
lately proposed by the Charter Commission DIVIDED ior
the sake Of greater ccarness Many amendments were
offered 10 the amendments. but only was made ana
that Of a slight nature not at all changing 'he
character OF the amendments The chief ainendment
was passed with the exception of one secton-n rea-
ton 20 the property qualification Of certain voters This
will undoubtedly be passed tomorrow in fu senate
The amendments Will then go TO the Assembly
Senator woodin said: There several laws on
the law books of the providing for minority repre-
sentaton There has been doubt expressed as to the
consttutionaly of such laws. Therefore we provide
that all boards shall be elected am not all satisfied
that this ought not TO extend to all city Offices The
only amendment Of Section of Article OF the Constu
ton in regard the qualifications of citizens for voting
consists of the following words:
But the may P FSHd he 6at as t o
give minOrties propOrtonate share OF representa-
ton therein.
Senator Kennaday thought there should be long con-
sideraton given to the subject. Senator Woodn replied
that considered for nearly two years by some
OF the most eminent the State and the resolution
was the fruit of their abOrs He wished TO make hastc
to consider resolution, not to pass it hastily TIE
pcoe Of the demanded their immediate cOnsldera
ton and the Legislature listen TO that voice III
considered open session instead of Committee OF the
Whole. much time would be saved Senator Harris said
he hoped the Senate would consider them at once.
yoteNyas then taken upon the resolution While the vote
was being taken.
Senator Gerard-This is q very important change AS
permssiye power however, is given to future Legis
aturcs TO grant or withhold minority legislation as they
please, shall vote in the affirmative
The resolution passed by a unanimous vote-24
Senators voting. An amendment amending Section %
of Article Of the Constitution then acted upon
IL simply declares that In cities board OF hnauce IN
stead OF the Board of Supervisors shall make contracts
audit county charges and procure supplies in the future
Senator WoOdin said that here an absolute seaTa
finn Of the legislative from the financial power OF
a city, The amendment adopted by a vote OF
26 TO /, the only negative vote being gwen ny
Senator sarbuck. The long amendment to the Con-
stltution, 10 be known Article IL was then
considered. This provides framework OF government
for every city the State provides for Spring cleo
lions and separation of the voters into two classes
one to consist of taxpayers ana renpayers ana the
other Of nOu-taxpayers.
senator Jacobs moved that Section lin regard to the
voters 70 be permitted to vote for the Board Of fnanc
be amended so that the following should be omitted:
In cities having population according to the state state
census next preceding ane GeP Di eH Ha e ce
by the electors Of the city otherwise qudhe unue ar
tice second of the Constitution VINO shal lOr TWO
years next preceding the election have pdlI an annual
tax on property owned by them ana officially assessed
for taxation city, shall have actually pad
during the PERIOD yearly rent, for premises ID sitd
civ Orcnped by tnem purposes OF re sldCnce OF law
fui business of not less than 500
Senator Woodn-I say does not restrict the right OF
suffrage. The right Of suffrage isn't natural right. All
the right have the Legislature gives theu IheS
have no right now choose board of finance 1t Is
perfecty competent for the Legislature 10 say VINO snail
vote for the members Of that of Finance If you
adopt Senator Jacobss amendment you have another
Board OF Aldermen. Leave it To the same constituency
and you have repeated IN your Board OF Finance your
present Board of Aldermen. This will be found safe
hon, 10
the Taxpayers 1t is no restriction because non
taxpayers never had any such right The assessment
rolls show very few taxpayers who are as
sessed below $500 1t is not therefore a pi"c-
teal denial representation to Taxpayers Every rent
payer indirectly is taxpayer, and Is Interested
in the amount Of taxation levied. No valid argument
can he made that restriction Of suffrage. 1t is ca
for to raise his voice ana declare Tat
IL an attempt restrict the suffrage 1t would he
great blessisg the poor a5Orer There never was
mill Of levied but that the nOntaX-payers feltlt
Senator Jacobs-I hold that 1t does restrict the sur
frage Tic Constitution declares that every male citizen
shall have a right for all officers. SO that II is
Necessary pass this amendment to restrict the St OF
suffrage oppose the ground that all men are en-
titled questions affecting the public interest
Yon viii take away from hundreds of intelligent persons
the right suffrage and confer it hundreds of IL
norant who just have intelligence enough to anass
property.
Senator Emerson-I am rather in favor of the amend
ment; but entirely. do not know about the Wis
dom Of the rent-payeIs Of certain grade voting ana
others of lower grade being excluded doubt whether
the rentpayers are interested in tine question OF tax
alton.
Senator Morrisscy--In regard to this amendment,
there isn't one section it except this that am
opposed TO. think il will leopard the whole amend
ment before people. shall vote against the whole
amendment il this is stricken out. THINK 1t ought
TO he separated from the rest of the amendment aud
voted upon separately.
ii
rest OF the amendment by the legislature
Senator Princeton certain purposes city govern
ment is business cOrpOratiOn-the opening OF streets
the making OF sewers &c.-and should be ruled ny the
business men. Something has to be done. There has
been an enormous increase Of taxation We all know the
evil The difficulties of administration have got TO be
met.
Iagree with Senator MorTissey that this section should
be separated from the rest OF the amendment ana
made new amendment 1 shall vote for it, so that the
people of the State may decide what they think of it,
Senator Geraldine gist OF the whole debate think
lies IN this section expected a skeleton charter that
would save us from the introduction of part an lcglSla
ton cities 1t isn't much. but we Should be thank
full for what receive. AS regard sulh-
inc out this restriction 1 OF te opinion
that I am not expressing my opinion. merely
submit the people Therefore there Is nothing mat
we do which restricts the people in this matter II they
say we will give up something az to insure better
government have nothing 10 say against 1t. would
like to the section submitted separately 10 the PEG
the people choose 10 restrict their Iancist
don't sec why should interfere Senator IN" cry
comes up from all quarters for relief The only question
is whether shall submit this amendment to TIC ope
Senator Sayre-The taxpayers, in my OPINION Ought
TO nave the right defend the rights Of the taxpayer
Is not the interest OF the nOnaXpae also protected at
prefer to see the rentpaycrs stricken Why should
a