New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-18
arp CHOATES PLAIN TALK.
,,1s CONSTITUTIONAL DELEGATES
OF THE WORK WHICH is BE-
FORE THEM.


.rvrSr THE INCREASE OF THE SALARIES
r OFFICIALS DURING THE TERMS FOR
WHICH THEY ARE ELECTED.
-, vycULAR CORRESPONDENT or TIM TRIBUNE,
Aug 1.-THE takers in the Constitu-
A' Convention drove that body week ago to
W. . rule that sessions should be held on Satur-
e'OF "a Monday as well as the other days OF the
SA' Except Sunday. Some held that no more time
I'd he gained II unlimited debate was sui
W.. ",sa than II sessions were held upon only four
&C before but the rule was adopted
0HN ..v II was discovered that ifty-fve members
". Convention had obtained leave OF absence
s,rrday and that so many others were absent
w ,oss,bly there might not be quorum present
". r,ow 1t was with this situation confronting
convention that MI Mulqueen. OF New-forK'
~. and moved adjournment from to-nigh'
"a Monday The Convention apparently listened
w. .s .uch favor TO Mr.. MulQueens suggestion that
a.sdsnt Choate gave up his seat as presiding oii-
20 another delegate and descending upon the
w., of the Convention Hall addressed the Con-
-.,,,on in the following fiery manner:
D.y before yesterday this Convention yoted Una.
was not oS yet a s II the motion Of Mr. Null
ou ssn y passes for one. shall be satisned ,hat
Mt e be trusted we hsra h taf For work
~ for play? The situation has not chansedd 1 th
sst tn, meek pus skS ssrSee
IsoIu us TO hold sessions every day, besides the
evening ~.It about work accomplished this week. Why,
~. rrea, work Of this convention stu remains 10 pc
done Think Of III only three weeks more hsv ,of onv
Broken edge Of the work that Is aa out Tor fof
III. Why sfce acne hoW much
;I%e Will that consume in body in which ,i'e there ore
@ 80 lawyers each one having ms ,S S%n D aT He
each se ~ The Committee on Cities. involving the
isisres,s the feelings and the prejudces Of almost
every se en Education. which in Itself, under
land has involved IN the heart OF tna' eU"i zee
v vs..ns OF this convention the report Of the Com
,;,,as on Charities. OF similar complexiy. al
sUs syGss the one Community rse and
,san above all the question OF legislative appor-
onsni TnSs ~ prnepe but matt matters Of feeling
and We may expect long ana c'ose olscusSo''
uP9n IT. l., -. show ourselves men, DO not let us
brow away an opportunity for work l regret very
much that many gentlemen nave bsenc4 for 10,
morrow For one. believe that any mem ,aI o %
dis convention who has h 10 HIM sns 20 at
~. own expense and attend TO his business ana
lose his per diem and make 1t 1p out or tng
ns W Nc great mistake TO pass Mr. Mulqueens reso-
,rnn and for one hope the convention VIII take
care AZ 90 foolish and boysh thing to change its
course on this matter
Mr.. Mulqueen's resolution was defeated by an
overwhelming vote
rns committee on Finance and Taxation reported
fayorably Mr.. Kelloggs proposed amendment pro
vd,ne that the Legislature may pass bills over the
cov.rrors veto by the vote required 10 pass
m. hill originally This would mean sixty-fVe votes
In the Assembly and seventeen votes III '''e ''''e
1,a Committee on Future Amendments TO the
Constitution reported back Louis Marshails amend
,s,, regarding vacancies in Constitutional Conven-
lions 80 amended 10 provide that such 'aoai'0ie'
-1G
The Committee on Industries reported iaVoraoiy
N. cD-,novaler's proposed amendment TO the Con-
stituton given below; J., ,,
Section & Article Of the Constitution IS aihe"u0"
so as TO read as follows; 5000, r,oL,,o 4, nm
,.ufui Tor any number Of persons 10 band them
selves together for the purpose OF ralsing .e
ora or material condition OF themselves or others
and no act done performed by one or more pes per
s vS va MA N he unlawful unless such act would
be unlawful II done by an indiV!cudi s'hsS "'''01'
agreement with others ~
lowing proposed amendment, suggested by MT Core
man.
The Constitution is hereby amended by inserting
Ir,,cie XVII~section l. The right OF an employe
b recover damages for injuries TO the person sus-
aimed in the course Of employment snail not e pe
caused by the act or negligence OF eo1empioye,
Sec All contracts limiting the liability LOT m N
The intury shall be invalid
The Committee on Judiciary reported favoraniy
Mr. Doty's proposed amendment abohshihg 'he
Statutory Revision Commission
The Committee Future Amendments HIue
favorable report on c. II. Trnax's amendment pro-
yiding that the new Constitution shah go '"'o eie
January !. 1895.
The Judiciary Committee reported favorably MT
Beckers proposed amendment to the Constitution
prohibiting the Governor of the State from rehoV-
Ing public officers without a hearing.
The convention then debated Mr. Mereness's pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution given beio"
Section "A Of Article III is hereby amended to read
Section a. Neither the Legislature nor the egisa-
tive department. or auditing board Oh any CIV, u,
vision Of the State shall grant any extra compehsa-
ton to any public officer. servant agent. or con,
tractor. nor shall any law or ordinance De passen
by them which shall operate to increase the salary
Of any officer during the term Tor when ne was
elected or appointed.
Mr. Doy opposed the amendment as an inter-
ference with the liberty Of action OF municipalities
and offered amendment TO 1t. Mr.. Choate there
upon addressed the convention, opposing the
amendment unwarrantabe interference with
the power OF the Legislature and OF municipalities
The question was debated until the close OF the
morning session
AT the afternoon session the discussion was again
De Lancey NicoI Of New-York City. favored the
mendment 1t was much more important. ne sain;
ndu been supposed. II autcteu tHouSdHu9 ~
.ncers who drew millions Of dollars every year
rom the State and from the cities 1t was me Gus,
som OF many officers every year 10 rush 20 inc
legislature to have their salaries increased the
members did not Ike to refuse. because they we're
,nceoted TO the officers and expected TO ask iaV9rs
o. them again so they increased the salaries Under
me present law the salaries Of constitutional ON,
S ees could not be raised and the salaries OF nose
which should be done away with. Mr.. Nicoll offered
concise substitute
The afternoon session consumed in dis
sussson OF the amendment. many delegates giving
instances Of officers who had been elected ana had
:. once sought to have their salaries raised, while
r r gave instances Of salaries which mad been
properly raised. Mr.. Nicolvs substitute was
acopts1. II does not change the main proposition
,,.i d,a not know when | spoke this morning mat
vac oMlcers OF the State were such a wicked Iot'
said Mr.. Choate II ask Mr.. Mereness II he has
ts known local board 10 raise salary without
NJ have known many instances where salaries
ns sve been raised" said Mr.. Mereness ana
"eser Knew any justification whatever.
AZ the evening session Mr.. Cochran combated the
T.ement made this afternoon by Mr. Jacobs that