The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-04-27
In EXTRA SESSION
Proceedings of the New York
Legislature.
GOVERNOR FLOWERS MESSAGE.
ReapportiOnmsnt Bills Presented in Sen.
ate and Assembly.


Legislation During the Session, Claim
ing 1t is an Unconstitutional One-some
of tho Changes that the BilIs Provide
for--Nsw York to Get 81 AssembIyme
and Kings 10.
ALBANY, N. Y, April 28.-When the
gavel fell at $3.50 p. m Lieut.. Governor
Sheehan ordered the reading of the Gov
ernor's proclamation, and then Senator
Cantor offered a resolution, which was
adopted, that the regular employees of
the Senate be retained Resolutions
were adopted to notify the Governor
that the Legislature was ready for busi-
ness and like committee to notify the
Assembly, Senator Erwin then offered
the following, which was laid on the
table;
'"1he undersigned hereby protest
against any legislation during this So
called extraordinary session. for the rea-
son that the same is not valid or con
stitutional one The Governors procla-
nation does not recommend any sub
ject for consideration The call is not
such as authorized and cannot be con
strued into an extraordinary session. We
therefore protest"
The call is signed by all the Republ-
can Senators.
The Governors proclamation was then
read as follows;
ALBANY, April 25, 1892
To THE LEGISLATURE
You have been convened in extraordi-
nary session pursuant to the power
vested in me by article ", section V.
of the Cons titution. l commend for
your consideration the subject for re-
apportionment of members of Assembly
among the several counties of the State
and an alteration of Senate districts, in
conformity with the Constitution
The organic law of the State, recog-
nizing the right of the people to fair
representation in the Legislature, pro-
vides for an enumeration of the inhabi-
tants at the end of every ten years and
directs that reapporJionmeut of Senate
and Assembly shall be made "at the
first session after the return Of every
enumeration.
Such an enumeration, although ne
elected in defiance of Constitutional OBJ
legation for seven years, has at last been
taken, and the return thereof was made
to the Legislature at its recent session.
power to apportion members of the AS
sembly among the counties in proper
tion to the number of their respective
inhabitants, excluding aliens, and to so
alter the existing Senate districts that
each will contain as nearly as may be an
equal number of inhabitants
The performance of that duty in a
manner satisfactory to the people of the
State is not without difficulty, but per-
sonal and political considerations should
be subOrdinated as much as possible to
the purpose Of securing for each locality
its fair proportion of the representation.
The task is rendered the' more difficult
by reason of the fact that the existing
apportionment was not only unfair at
the time of its enactment, but has be-
come more and more unfair with the
changes of population Under a fair
division of members of the Assembly,
therefore, some counties must make sac
rifices and suffer a reduction in their
representation. But such sacrifices
should be made willingly, and l trust
the Legislature will approach its task
with conciliatory disposition, determined
to discharge its duty impartially and to
heed the demand of the people for asfairer
system of legislative representati on.
Roswell P. FLOWER.
The Senate then took recess until IL
o'clock.
AT the hour appointed for the Senate
caucus the Democrats met in the Lieut..
Governors room, but Senators Parker
and Walker refused to go in. The clerk
OF the Senate was sent to interview Mr..
Walker, and later Senator Cantor came
out and had long talk with him Mr..
Parker finally went in, having been as
sured he could have four Assemblymen,
but Mr.. Walker sat among the minority
member, and refused to be appeased
1t was ii AS when the caucus adjourn
ed, and Senator Cantor Immediately of
fered the bill which apportions the dis
tricts. The Senate then adjourned till
IL a. m.