New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-12

pcarcd wise ON the whole. when the bin came from
/ the Legs AZURE. to complete its enactment. and
| i-rti1n Your attention. therefore. "a called - the
| subject. with view of perfccting tho Code IN
/ conformity with the best Judgment
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
81 every +, ,,ou Of the Legislature, bills are in
/ trodrcrd. and not infrequeuUy passed providing
/ for che payment Of claims made by persons who
have succeeded to Office after coute,ting tide to tie
same IN cases where the ousted parties have drawn
/ the salaries daring the time they held possession.
/ IL IL only Just that the elected 10 an office
should euCy Its cu)ium, uts bat the salary ought
/ h"l 10 ue pud twice over or 10 'lH'i'HO Gia.",
ants Some plan should. therefore be adopted
whereby persons legally chosen shall be protected
A very effective remedy for what has become a
growing evil, would he 10 require III the case OF
contested election, whether general or local, that
| the contestant be allowed 10 file with the apprO
pirate disbursng officer a protest against payment
of salary To the person who has receive the cerl
cate of election. and that the fling of such protest
shall prevent payment until the incumbent furnish
| an adequate bond Of indemnity TOR refund OF tue
versely 20 the party holding This would involve
no unreasonable eXactiOn hardship to the lncum-
bent. while IL would provide against possible mus
tice 10 me contestant Inc subject Is one worthy
Of attention and your intelligent consideration Is
! respectfully directed 30 It,
BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS.
The true theory OF a republican form Of govern
ment involves perfect integrity in the couduct Of
]
tutions is u corrupt ballot; and If government by |
the people prove failure it will be moro |
likely to proceed from this cause than any other
Citizens a,e Justly indignant hen frauds are COM
mItted, tdsltyIug results and. IN effect depUyng |
them OF ;hc elective franchise. Carefully mauied |
laws have been enacted tO guard against these evils.
and 10 Is believed that many abuses formerly prnc-
however for which offence both the Constitution |
aud laws provide severe penalties, Ii yet too com
mon. and should be 5tornly rebuked.
I'm &c tain localities of the State not election
occurs without the expenditure of large sums for |
the purchase of votes. and not unfrequenty taDu-
lCus amounts are thus expended TO control local |
elections. Worse than this no pains Is taken % !
conceal these long established crimes from pubic
view and they are often so notorious as I" become
the subject Of ueiglbOrhOod scandal Pr scouting
officers sadly derehct in failing to invoke the
majesty OF the law 80 wantoniy and uagrantly
uturd under their very eyes ior L9he can De 50
blind not 20 see or procure tue evidence OF these
occurrences.
I'nlr-s -ome power intervene to put stop to this
mOustrous abuse il will inevitably grow until cleo
tious, controlled by such interests as command the
largest means. viii become a mere farce. II such |
coudIti il reached respect for law will be turned
to contempt and tho liberties or the people enGan-
gered Impressed with the vital necessity of check
ing his growing vice. you are urged to consider and
adopt whatever measures may promise relief and
especially 10 promote vgOr and efficiency among
officials upon whom the responsibility OF prosecu-
ton rests
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION
Pursuant to the Constitution OF the United !
States a reapporionmcut Of Congressional district
representation TO conform to the census of 1850 /
Will become necessary during your present session.
provided Congress shall have completed It's duty in
determining the basis Of representation for the |
several States. Unless the membership OF the |
House OF Representatives ~ now composed be con
sid'rably enlarged, our Stale Will of necessity lose
somewhat i'm the number of It's representatives. IN
consequence of the relative increase IN the pOpula-
ton OF other States. established by the census;
hence reorganization OF Congressional districts Will
become m absolute requirement whenever congress
shall have fixed the ratio of representation.
ARMS OF THE STATE
The doubt and uncertainty as to what s the cor
rect device of the Arms of the State. although not
affecting our material welfare certainly reflect
upon the boastrd cultivation and pride Of our peo-
ME. A commission designated by the Senate last
wear carefully Investigated the subject and sub
mtted report to the Legis ature. aiordlug full IN
formation as to the confusion sur oundIn1 this
definition of device, with provision recommended
for an authentic complication thereof. to be
adopted and alone used for all official documents
and letter headings ~ well rs TOT every purpose TOT
which II may, with prOpuetY, be employed thus
making 10 familiar to all The fact that nearly one
hundred different devices are eXtant ara tudt nor
single per,Dn within the State able % prove what
is the true and legal design. is qnite sufficient to
demonstrate he deSIrabllity of Soma authoritative
disposition OF the mntter.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Propositions for amending the Constitution IN
sevcra respects were adopted by the last Leglsa-
ture and will therefore. come before You this ses-
sion Those with refereuce to the canals arc e7pe
cillv timely IN view of possible developments IL the
near future, affecting this important interest The
proposed Amendment for further restricting the
authority of counties. towns cities aud villages 10
contract local Indebtedness must. IN view OF past
experience. commend itself TO the approval Of me
people As to the increase IN The number OF JUS
ticr- cf the Supreme Court there may be some
question about Us necessity IN the Fourth and sixth
Districts; and also, lhe addition or more than one
Justice IN the Seventh and Eighth Districts. re-
spccuFc.y.
organic law Is within the province Of The Legs |
Iqture and the electors of the state when not !
rcu.ttrd 80 far as the Legislature IL concerned to
duly constituted convention, th' subjects detailed
resi- with such authority, aud must thereby be de-
termIued
BIENNIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.
The experience OF two years ID the discharge Of
executive duties has impressed me with the belief
that the interests Of the people would be promoted
bv the adoption Of the plan for biennial sessions Of
the Legislature. Provision for the support OF all
departments NJ the State Government can be made =
two year, IN advance, quito dN well ~ Tor single
years aud under me present C.Isu'u,.'. Qua.
authority with reference 10 EXTRAORDINARY sessions
of the legislature during which no sub ect can be
considered not embraced 10 the Recommendations :
of the Governor, no cu barrassmcnt need arse u
about calling such extra meetings whenever :
necessity demands.
greater stability and efficiency IN regard % laws -
and would check in large degree the tendency 20 .
local and special legislation now encouraged. ne <
devoted 10 the consideration OF general measures
designed 20 conserve the public good. thus elsvat-
DID,. the lay-uaIIug power IN the estimation Or the
ueopIr and inducing greater respect tor statutory
enactmeuts The last revision or the Constitution
provides Tor general legislation on many SUBJECTS
and there can Dee no doubt tn1t more heuehcIhl re-
suits I'm this respect would accrue II the sessions q
were les, frequent SrNerl. states nave in rrctut
vear- changed from annual TO biennial meetings, -
with especial advantage and satisfaction io the
people. . 81
10 accomplish the object proposed amendments o
IN tI. ftt1tiou will he required both o. the