The record-union., 1894-06-02

LH0 record OF THIS congress. DuI uO OilO
who is not on the ground can realize the
widespread disgust that is silent but de-
termined. say advisedly that it has en-
tered the ranks of Tammany Hall ana
affects the temper of men who have voted
the Democratic ticket straight, without
question, without a break, since they
were q years old.
Fealty to party has been struck one
more stunning blow. The variable vote
that takes thought before choosing bal
| lot will be so increased that it will over
shadow every other result Of the coming
elections. That would be a work any
Congress might point to with credit to
itself were it not that that end was not In
the view of the legislators.
You know in California as well as we
in New I York that corruption has been
charged in the Senate in Washington.
w hat makes the knowledge more etfec-
tive here is that we know men who have
prOhted by their acquaintance with ma
tional legislators. Some OF US have been
invited to help the rise of sugar and been
assured against error IN purchase OF
that stock by assurances that have turned
out true ltiil the exposure threatened).
New York knows the witnesses Tor the
defense. Hence the sickening disgust
and the hopelessness OF politicians who
have been inEthe deals.
With doubts SO general of every as
sem blage of men, 1t IS not surprising that
the constitutional convention which has
organized and will begin work next
week, is watched with suspicious eye,
open for indications of weakness. What
is feared of it is that it will be partisan.
The majority is Republican, and Repub-
icans. of intelligence, who want the
party TO makea fine record in changes
in the States fundamental laws, are as
anxious as Independents, lest the eager
ness to gain advantages at close hand
should interfere with far-sighted efforts
at technical reforms. They have on their
conscience the sin of having nominated
as delegates in many instances men who
were not Epre-eminently fit to change
underlying laws. The nominations were
made at time when il was not thought
possible to elect their men as delegates,
so the selections We're not made carefully.
Old hard-Shen partisans were honored
with the nomination; now they are IN the
convention.
When Joseph II. Choate was chosen
Chairman of the convention it was be-
| lieVed Tor a time that he was selected as
as undoubted representative of the very
best class of men in the total number of
l75. He assumed that his own election
TO preside was an assurance that non
partisan considerations were to pre-
dominate, and said SO. He promised that
ness of the convention and would do all
in his power to make the amendments
represent changes needed for purely legal
and economic reasons. This was en-
couraging. 1t will give the upper-hand
to bipartisan forces.
But Mr.. Choate was not chosen because
the non-partisans were in the majority.
He was placed in the chair not because
he would act on high motives, but be-
cause he is the greatest man, the most
famous, the ablest lawyer in the body.
1t was tribute TO his career as lawyer,
not a recognition of the worth of his
principles or of his record as an Inde-
pendent. This truth appeared to him
when he came to divide the offices, few
and small as they are. He found that the
old partisans we're all powerful and were
bent on getting party advantages from
their numerical strength.
1t is too early to say how far these men
Will carry things. The convention will
be in session all summer, and perhaps all
winter, too. Their work will be Of great
importance, because they must correct
weaknesses and laws outgrown during
forty-eight years. The last convention
was in 1868, but the proposed amend
ments, with one important exception,
were rejected at the polls. The last con-
vention which made accepted alterations
was in 1916. Woman suffrage overshad-
oWs all other proposed amendments at
present, but there are others of great i'm
portance which will be struggled over
These will be discussed as they rise. All
that l wanted to do now was to suggest
the division of the convention in the
moral aspect of motive and purpose. The
relative strength of high and low ends
will be settled next week and will be the
first disclosure of interest. As it is de-
cided, the keynote of the work will be
made known.
Another piece of work that will have
to be followed during the summer is that
to be performed by the Tenement House
Commission, appointed by the Legis-
lature with authority to investigate the
laws relative to tenement-houses, the
condition of these abodes of a million
people and of their inmates, with view
to report with recommendations of
changes for the Improvement of the life
of the poor. The commission consists of
seven prominent men who know nothing
about their subject. Richard Watson
Glider, editor of the Century Mdg0si7ae
is their chosen Chairman, and in his Office
they began work yesterday afternoon.
They will see horrible things. From
their discussion yesterday it is evident
that they will be prepared by their
educated imaginations for the vileness of
the physical conditions of tenement life,
but the shock will come when they see
the contentment of the people in low life.
What will they find to do with the happy,
laughing children that sail sticks in the
scum, playing they have navy in an
ocean? What will they do when they
find lads filled with the ambition to be-
come notorious burglar, and young
girls aiming TO become dancers and
concert-haH singers, filed with the
vanity of dress. hateful of domestic life
and hurrying into the shops to earn
money for pretty clothes? What can
they suggest for the squeezing house
holder who was tenant himself year
ago, has bought a house-fuu of his old
neighbors-on margin so narrow he
must be the worst enemy of his old
friends, in order to pay interest on his
mortgage and save up for the house next
door? What can they do for the people
who are living in horrible way but are
satisfied to be let alone?
1t is we'll that the seven Commission
ers know nothing of the problem, have
no theories or prejudices. They are hon.
est men, with various accomplishments
and considerable ability. successful in
other lines of work. They may
succeed in this task that has de-
teated every ther student of low-life,
here or abroad. Anyway, they will
bring to the surface 8 great deal of in
formation thinkers will be glad to have
from the most crowded population in the
world.
Meanwhile New Workers, who can, are
preparing to move out of town. They
are less than in former years. Business
men who last year could ill-afford to send
their wives and daughters to the fashion
able seaside resorts, did so in order to
keep up the show of prosperity. 1t
helped their credit. Appearances count
for great deal in all great cities, where
men often must be judged at first sight
and always from afar. This year, however,
even the rich are too long-suffering and
callous to make pretenses. Hotel men
say they are getting little business from
the country. Women ara not COMING