New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-17
THE CONSTITU ITONAL CONVENTION

A timely discussion has begun throughout the
State of the preliminary questions growing out
of the decision of the people at the late election
in favor of holding constitutional Conven-
tion. What shall be the size of the convention 7
When shall the amendment be submitted to
the peopef Shall the convention be nom par
tisan? Shall the membership be appointed or
elected Such are the leading questions now
being industriously canvasscd.
The attempt to determine what would be the
proper size of such a convention has revealed
much difference of opinion. 1t is argued, on
the one hand that the membership ought net to
he much greater than 1907 and on the other
that it might judicously be as large as 200 or
even 800 The advocates Of the small body
would seem to take for THEN motto, 400 many
cooks spoil the BROTH" and those Of the large
body to take for theirs, " In multitude OF
councillors there is wisdom" AS to the general
election at which the amendment shall be sub
mitted to the people, that of course depends in
part upon the date of the conventions organ IL
alton and its duration. SDOud the Legislature
be prompt in passing the necessary bill, the con-
yention might assemble curly next spring and
adjourn sine die in season to enable the voters
TO pass upon It's work at the November election
of 1887. But if for any reason the amend
ments do net reach the people next fall, then,
in the opinion of some of our contemporaries,
they should not be submitted until 1889.
Those who advance this view argue that to
submit the amendments III 1888, Presidential
year, will be to crowd them into the background
and hence prevent them receiving the thought
full consideration at the hands of the voters 20
which they will be entitled. General Hustled
has announced that at an early day of the ses-
sion of the Legislature he will introduce bill
providing for the election of delegates to tho
convention by Assembly Districts. This prop
| ositor has met with good deal of favor-and
| good deal of disfavor. Its opponents insist
that a convention of n fairer temperament could
be secured by awarding the same number oil
delegates to both of the two great political
parties. Some of those of this way OF thinking
are in favor of allowing the Governor to APP
point the delegates with the consent OF the
Senate.
1t will be the duty of the Legislature careful
y to consider these questions. Consiliu-
tlonal Convention of course ought to be COM
posed of the foremost men of the State in point
OF ability experience in public affairs and gen.
eral tru ,tw orthipess. That point kept in view.
it will not make SO much difference whether the
| body is large or small, OF whether its prepOnd-
! Grating element is Republican or Democratic.
| Nor is it q matter of vital Importance when the
amendments are submitted, so long as there is
no extraordinary delay. "The Constitution as
it IT," whatever its imperfections, is by no
means bad instrument Would that all the
| laws were as satisfactory as the Constitution
| A good deal is to be said in regard to what
should be the political character of the con-
vention. 1t is not unnatural that the Repub-
licans, having a majority in the next Legislat-
ure and therefore being responsible for the
character of its outcome. should be unwilling
to provide for convention of colorless politics.
| Of course the members-elect realize that if the
work Of the convention Can be said to be faint
ed by partisanship there Is every chance OF its
being rejected by the people and hence brought
to naugtt The coming Legislature contains a
large number of sagacious, level-headed men,
so that it is confidently to be expected that the
matter of the convention will be disposed of so
as to meet the best expectations.