New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-15
Mr.. VEDDER misunderstood.
THE SENATOR RISES TO QUESTION OF PRIV
LEGE- FALSE CONSTRUCTION On
HIS LANGUAGE

HIS LANGUAGE
Albany Feb. II (speciaD.-In the Senate this morn
ing Mr. vedder question Of privilege, to cor
rect certain mis1pprcheEsons concerning his position
with regard 10 senate representation In the debate
on Mr. Cantor's Enumeration bill last Wednesday,
Mr. Vedder insisted that such representation should be
regulated by something than mere count Of the
people. This has been construed to mean that ho
desires property qualification for voters. such
desire he cmphatically dscaims.
Il find in The Ncw-York World" said Mr.. We'd
der in addressing the Senate "a statement that Mr.
Fassctt has fatty declared that his party would never
consent 70 pas, a Fair bill that the Governor would
sign. I have never heard him utter any such senn-
ments a that: and if he did utter them, as believe
he did not they are not shared in by any Republicans
in the senate The World also accused me OF assert
ing that sections not population, and that wealth ana
Intelligence not manhood should have representation IN
the senate that Cataraugus County farmer ought
TO have more representation than New-forK SHOP
keeper. Now, / never said anything Of the KIND. l
said that the Constitution Of the state ought to be
amended 30 that Senatorial districts should be put
upon the same basis as Assembly districts. When the
trainers Of our Constitution provided that every
county should have representative In the lower
house, excepting Fulton and Hamilton they had IL IN
view that something besides mere count OF the IN
habitants should ind representation In the legislature
meant that, and nothing more. did not mean as
between individuals ihefe ShOnu Dt any ulntiNtiOh'
nor did | mean that there should be classes in So
cety, SO far as representation Is concerned did
not claim that a rich man should have more rep
resentauon than poor man, nor an intelligent man
more than an ignorant man contend that under our
Government every man Is the equal OF every other'
but that representation in this body should not be based
entirely and Absolutely upon a mere count. clam
that communities, political divisions, soveregntles
should be considered an element and should become
TT. In, T,I.f that
farm should count for more than azzarone and
bundle OF macaroni; that a shopkccper and his shop
should stand for than Italian and his monkey
that sewing girl and her sewing machine should
stand for more than snake charmer and her snake
that manly oilcr, who Use, tools in factory, should
stand for than burglar and his Jimmy; that
reputable citizens should stand for more than the sans
culottcs and inmates Of lalls and station houses,
and an intelligent newapapcrm4n for more than a
thug with M- .lung,h0t and bludccOn. No man can
have greater respect for the poor than J. look upon
tae working Glasses a. the loahdhlIoh OF society,"
tho pillars upon which states are erected
magnificent fabric called the American Republic. the
hope Oi tic world aud maintain that their virtue
and morality should 20 hand In hand with the count
Of ndiy lu maLht up basis oil Representations
d" ] fau ~ see ans great change ln the senator's
petition said Mr. cantor. who felt bound TO keep
had been 50 honestly explained away. lie >tlll IN
,ists that Representation must be- based not upon tho
number of Inhabitants. but upon their Intelligence
or their industrial condition.
70 pom both" cried Mr. Neddcr.
"Wcll.7 rctortcd MIR. Cantor, your speech shows
that you 10 favor Of the classes a. against tho
ua,-cr.'
Mr.. NcCawcn said he thought Mr.. yeddcr had 40
Intention t. make such "A distinction. But he
added. ho certainly talked In such way that any
body would hc Justified IN upposiug that he meant 10
-luuatc that there ,houd bee educational claaSiu
cation 81 voter. don't hold that tlat Is the
p:ncpl" of the Republican party, but the assertion
ma been made repeatedly
Mr. Vcddcr repeated that he only sought TO follow
the Constitutions and that De merely wanted the same
doctrine apply tho state senate that applies TO
he senate OF The United States.