The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-01
Advertisements for The WEEKLY SuN,
issued Tomorrow morniaD. must be handed in
this erening before o'clock.
Some Things That . Democratic LeSis-
lature Could Do.

lature Could Do.
Here are some Of the things which New
York Legislature. Democratic In both
branches. could do in support Of the policy.
pledges and recommendations OF Demo
cratic Governor:
It could pass o bill for the enumeration OF
the inhabitants Of the State. as provided by
section 4, article y Of the Constitution.
There has been no accurate Federal emu
msration since 1880: no State enumeration
since 1875.
On the basis OF such new enumeration. 1t
could make new superintendent OF the
State. as provided by section s Of article Of
the Constitution. thereby correcting the
evils and doing away with the injustice of
the obsolete and ineQuitable apportionment
which now exists. based upon the popula-
ton of the State sixteen years ago.
In compliance with the mandate OF the
voters. as declared by them by an over
whelming majority at the election Of 1880.
five years ago. 1t could call Constitutional
Convention to amend and revise the organic
law Of the State.
It could initiate and enact legislation
which would restore. to It's fullest extent,
the right Of local self.government to the
municipalities Of tho State.
It could enact ballot law which every
one would understand. which every citizen
could vote under. which would dlsfranchise
no elector however humble or unlsttered.
and which would not promote election con-
tests dangerous to tho public peace.
It could abate many OF the evils connected
with the penal institutions Of the State. and
could pass q law repeating that obnoxious
and unauthorized interference with the
rights OF the public press. contained in the
statute prescribing the method Of eXecut-
Ing criminals condemned to death.
1t could-that Is, the Senate could-Acon-
firm nominations in harmony with the
policy and purposes Of the Executive. there
by dIsposing OF Republican hold-Overs
whose enforced retention f. a fraud upon
the whole people.
1t could enact law reforming the present
system OF appointment. whereby Commits
sioners OF Education are chosen chiefly
from one portion OF this city to the neglect
and prejudice OF other and more populous
portions. an abuse to which are largely at
tributable the absence OF accommodation for
hundreds Of school children. and the con-
tract frauds now under investigation.
1t could still further reduce the rate and
volume OF State taxation.
1t could. by the reorganization Of the De-
partment Of Docks. put it in control OF
the local authorities and take 1t from under
the wing Of the Legislature. thereby assur-
ing to New York city and to the commerce
OF the countrya comprehensive system OF
modern docks and wharves.
, 1t could, by its record OF good service.
sustain and confirm the public faith Of the
voters OF the country in the efficiency Of
Democratic lawmakers.
These things. and many others. could
New York Legislature. Democratic in both
branches. do for the people Of the State.
Interesting Religious Developments.
Last Sunday the Rev. Mr.. SPALDINa. an
Episcopal clergyman at Cambridge. the
seat Of Harvard College announced to his
parish that he had abandoned Professionalism
and followed the lead OF the late Cardinal
NEWMAN into the Roman Catholic Church.
Such a step seems tn have been expected
of him. for he referred to a report that, as
ali extreme High Churchman, he had been
Influenced In his decision by the election OF
the Rev. DR.. BROOKS to the bishopric OF
Massachusetts. He explained that as his
transfer OF allegiance Is due to q radical
change OF conviction as to the true seat Of
Church authority. the election Of one man
or another as Bishop OF the Episcopal
Church could not have affected it. He has
followed q line OF reasoning as to Church
authority similar to that pursued by DR..
BRIeGs. and it has led him to Roman
Catholicism. Yet his discourse OF last Sun
A,.,, mi film alorntfnn ~ Dv
Brooks to the cpiscopate tended to
hasten his departure from the Episcopal
Church and strengthen his doubts as to it's
authority.
He acknowledged that what first set him
thinking on the subject was "the rational.
ism. the free thinking. and the unbelievng
OF the EpIacopal Church and the entire An
gican community" the scouting OF the
doctrine OF the Apostolic Succession and Of
the Holy scriptures. the hooking of the doc
trine OF tho Incarnation. and tile making
those truths only matters OF interpreta-
tion." Thus he was led to the con.
clusion that there Is revelation
from GOD in His Church and in the
history OF 1t as it was first given to the
world" which decides great questions Of
belief and faith" that are insoluble by "our
own conflicting thoughts" He goes over
to Roman Catholicism to find the absolute
authority which he misses In the Episcopal
Church: and evidently the election Of DR..
Brooks was the last straw on the camel's
back for him.
The Superior OF the Anglican Society OF
81. John tho Evangelist explains very
frankly that the withdrawal of Father HALL
from tho Boston Church OF the order was
duo chiefly to his approval Of the confirma-
ton Of the election Of Bishop BROOKS. This
parish was built up by Father HALL after
eighteen years. residence in this country.
aud 1t became strong and prosperous; but as
he Is a member Of the order. was sent by II to
Boston. and had sworn fidelity to its dis
cipline. he was obliged to obey the command
Of the Superior and return to England few
weeks ago. The members Of the parish re-
sented this interference with the liberty Of
opinion Of their rector. and threatened to
desert tho Church of st. John the Evan.
gelist II the recall was not revoked. But
Us.A l,.I a.