New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-22
WINDING UP ITS LABORS.
TIE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
CLEARS ITS CALENDAR.

,.ss.GE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. MILITIA AND
ANTEGAMBLING AMENDMENTs-sHALL THE
DELEGATES AFFIx THEIR SIGMA
TUREs TO THE CONSTITUTION?
MON TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE 1RrBrNn
Albany. Sept. 21.-The Constitutional Convention
committee appointed consider the state Of bust
ness reported at the Republican caucus held this
morning that final adjournment could be taken
IN saturday al noon, il no amendments were con-
sdered besides the five already the order of
third reading. 1t was. however determined that
the anti gambling amendment should be considered
IN Committee OF the Whole.
In the convention Mr.. Johnson. OF Wyoming
moved 10 take from the table motion of Mr. Nc
Milan reconsdering the vote in Committee Of the
Whole by which the amendment relative to the use
OF money for political purposes had been ordered
a third reading. Mr. Johnson said that the amend
nent HAD been opposed because some delegates
thought it might injure the innocent stockholders
and not the officers OF corporations which contrib
u;ed TO campaign funds. A count having been
called FOR. the motion of Mr.. johnson was lost by
large majority
Mr.. Cookinham moved TO take up his resolution
for the payment of S2Sl3 10 to Messrs. Putnam and
Sullivan. Of Erie. who secured their seats late in
the session. The amount named was to reimburse
those delegates for counsel fees and disbursements
Mr. Deadly and others OF the opinion that the
bill should not be allowed by the Convention. 1t
was. they thought matter for the Legislature to
consider. Mr.. Deadly made the statement that all
the members OF the committee except Mr. Cookin-
ham thought the Convention had no power to vote
an appropriation of this The resolution was
lost
The first amendment on the order of third reading
was that of c. II. Truax striking out all of Article
XIV except the thirteenth section and amending
that section to read follows: This Consti-
tuition shall be in force from and including the first
day Of January 1896 except as herein otherwise
provided" The amendment adopted without
much discussion
REFORM OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The second amendment was that Of II. a. Clark
relative TO the Civil Service of the State and the
cities The Committee of the Whole had ordered the
amendment TO third reading in this shape:
Article VIII OF the Constitution Is hereby amended
BY adding a section. to read as follows:
Appointments and promotions in the Civil Service
Of the state and of cities shall be made according
70 merit and fitness. to be ascertained by examna-
tons, which. so far as practicable shall be COMPETE
Laws shall be made to provide for the enforce
ment Of this section.
Honora5iy discharged Union soldiers and sailors
who are not otherwise disqualified for such appoint
ment or promotion shall be exempt from the pro-
visions OF this section.
Mr.. Tibbitts moved TO insert in place OF the last
part. the words: "Honorably discharged Union SOL
diers and sailors of the late Civil War, who
residents of this State shall be entitled TO prefer
ence in such appointments and promotions. and
shall be exempt from such examinations"
Mr.. Cochran moved TO strike out the last part Of
the amendment and insert the following provided.
however, that honorably dischare-1 soldiers and
sailors from the Army and Navy OF the United
States in the late war, who are citizens and resi-
dents of this State. shall be entitled to preference
in appointment and promotion without regard to
pointment promotion may be made.
Mr.. Countryman moved to strike out the whole OF
no hoe ed l-nr
Mr.. Hotchkiss moved to strike out the words rea;
tive 10 soldiers who are not otherwise disqualified
for such appointment promotion.
Mr.. Johnson of Wyoming, said that he would be
false 10 the haf-millon old soldiers in the state
If he did not notice the remarks made by Mr.
Countryman Saturday, to the effect that the
votes Of the old soldiers had been bought with
pensions that had mortgaged the revenues of the
country for the next nifty years. Mr. Countryman
This led MIR. johnson make an imprisoned APP
R es th i9r w 3he a 2q I9T n6t Br6ed now
Mr. Mcln:yre moved to amend the last Part OF the
Union soldiers and sailors who served in the late
Civil War. and who are not otherwise ,disquanhed
from. the provisions of said competitive examina-
Mr. Nicon moved an amendment which included
not only cities but also all villages and civil d,
visions OF the State in the general application OF
Dart'e moved e make the latter part Of the
soldiers and sailors Of the late civil war shall be
exempt from he examinations rsquired by d ms rs
MIR Durfees amendment the words land shall be
eligible for such appointment or promotion without
The hour tor debate having expired. votes were
taken upon the several amendments None OF
these were passed except those of Messrs NicolI
and Cochran. The amendment being thus perfected
by making It's application general throughout the
State and by giving preference rather than ex-
emption the old soldiers. the roll was called on
final passage. The amendment was passed, yeas,
e. nays. 81. OF the nnety-seven affirmative votes.
ffty-seven were Republican. while OF the hfty-four
number of the Republicans voted in the negative
owing to the fact that the amendment had been
a1sa m ka "a m =
hamiets in the State. which would make necessary
local civil service boards and cause additional ex-
Following Is the shape in which the amendment
Article Viii OF the Constitution IS hereby amended
by adding new section to read as follows:
of tie State and Of ali the civil divisions thereof in
Guiding cities and villages. shall be made according
TO merit and fitness TO be ascertalned by examina-
lions which. far practicable. shall be com
Laws shall be made to provide for the enforce
nent OF this section.
PROVIDED hEwev that hGn9raoy rd San 20 s} 5e
United states in the late var who are ezens
e appointment and PROMOTION. without regard to
their standing on any list from which such appoint
ment or promotion may be made.
THE DRAINAGE OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
The next amendment that came UP on final pas
sage was that Of Mr.. Parker. amending Section I Of
Article l. so as TO include therein the right to
struct and maintain necessary drains and bitches
for agricultural purposes across the lands or Diners
Mr.. Parker made long speech in favor OF passing
the amendment in the interest Of the agricultural
districts of the State. Mr. Hattenroth tried 10 add
his amendment allowing trial by jury In con-
demnation proceedings. but he failed. The amend
ment was passed-lOi to II. 1t is as follows:
Section OF Article of the Constitution Is hereby
amended so as TO read fo..ows:
Section l. When private properly snail be taken Tor
any public USE the compensation 10 be made therefor
when such compensation Is not made by the state
shall be ascertaned by jury BY not less than three
commissioners appointed by court OF record as
shay be prescribed by law. Private roads may be
opened In the manner TO be prescribed by law
but In every case the necessity OF the road ana the
amount OF all damage 10 be sustained by the open
ing thereof shall be determined by jury OF free
holders and such amount. together with the ex-
penses Of the proceeding sha be paid by the person
10 be benefited
General laws may be passed permitting the owners
occupants OF agriculture, lands 10 construct and