The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-12
Tho Constitutional COnvention-Wha
Shall be Done About 1t?

The Constitution of this State, as adopted
In 1916. contains this provision as to the
calling OF conventions to propose amend
mems to that instrument:
AT the general election to be held in year 1885,
and In each twentieth year thereafter and also at such
time the Legislature may by law provide the ques
tion, shall there bo convention Const
tuition and amend tho same shall be decided by tho
electors qualified to vote for members OF the Legsla
turs: and in majority of tho electors so qualified
voting At such election shall decide favor of con.
vention for such purros the Legislature at its next
session shall provide by law for the election OF dele
gatss to such convention"
At the general election in 1866 the people
voted in favor Of n Constitutional Conven-
ton. That Convention met under tho Presi-
dency Of WILLIAM A. WHEELER. who after
ward administered the Office OF Vice. Presi-
don't OF the United States under the fraudu-
lent HAYES Administration. 1t proposed n
new Constitution. which was submitted to
the popular vote in 1869. and was rejected
with the exception Of tho sixth article re-
lating to tho judiciary.
In 1886 the question whether there should
be new Convention was again voted upon,
and decided in the Affirmative, but owing to
the inability OF tho Legislature and tho
Governor to agree upon the form OF bill,
no statute was enacted on the subject until
the present year. Tho act. which was
passed April 80. 1892, provides for an election
OF delegates on the second Tuesday of Feb
ruary next. and declares that the number of
delegates to the Constitutional Convention
shall BIO III. The statute then goes on to
direct that 1928 shall DO chosen by Assembly
districts. that 80 shall DO delegates for the
State Mt large. and that in addition to these
elected delegates. "there shall be appointed
by the Governor eight persons who shall be
members OF said Convention. and who shall
have all the rights and privileges accorded
therein to other members Of the Conven-
ton" OF the appointed delegates three arc
required to be representatives Of the Pro-
hibitionist party. and five to be representa-
tlvcs OF labor organizations.
These provisions have been forc'bly criti-
c!sed both on mathematical and constitu-
t!onal grounds. II the l2S delegates to be-
elected by Assembly districts and the 81
delegates at large, and the appointed
delegates be added together. there are only
lGs delegates In all. whereas the bill de-
clares that there shall be III delegates to
the convention; and II reference be made
TO the provision OF the Constitution which
We have quoted above. it will be perceived
that 1t empowers the Legislature to pro-
vide for tho election of delegates to a Con-
stitutional Convention. and not for their
appointment at all.
These are matters which can bc. and uu-
questionably ought To be. dealt with by tho
Legislature of 1893. just H. soon rs that
body is convened But the new Legislature
will be called upon, not only 10 correct tho
mathematics! and constitutional mistakes
which have been pointed out. but also to
consider the question whether the time OF
electing delegates TO the Convention should
not DO postponed until the next general
election. and whether. as consequence. the
date OF holding tho Convention should