New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-03
A REPUBLICAN, CONVENTION.

| Tho Damocrotjc members OF the Constitutional
| Convention. being "A minority OF that pody' are
| complaining with much bitterness OK speech De-
cause they are not permitted to manage us p"Si-
ness. 1t Is doubtful if they really suppose tha'
| they are being abused. but they are making
ereot deal Of unseemly noise They are wasting
| ,heir energies also. for sensible citizens which
ever party they belong TO- are not at all llkely
to make a pretended grievance Of this sort Ihe'r
own. The Republican delegates were elec'eu
| by the people to guide the deliberations or the
Convention and to express their views oi puo'''
policy In its work. They are not merely an'nor-
| lied but under strict obligations to MAINTAIN
their control firmly and constantly. mat WIS
the intention Of the voters who elected II hepuo'
rc,n majority 10 the Convention. and that is the
only course which that majority could take III
reason and in honor II members composing
the majority did not fully realize their uu'! AZ
an earlier date il IS all the more important mat
they should signify their thorough comprenen'
sion Of 1t now when the purposes OF the MINOR
| tv are apparent and the time left for Work ~
short.
The Democratic leaders on the floor ana inc
| delegates whose votes support them are eAce'N
iugly DESTROYS TO procure or retain CONSTITUTIONS"
provisions embodylng their own STRONG P'e'e'
epces We do not complain OF TINS. Inc! "'e
within their rights In endeavorlng 10 prevent
the adoption Of amendments when tue! con'
slider TO be In conflict with their political prin
ciples and TO persuade as many as poSS'oie VI
| the representatives Of the other party ~ 'o-
operate with them But 1t Is absurd anu ''t"
indecent for them TO protest, while mus p"Si!
| occupied with their own designs. against 'ne
conduct of those who have an equal rien' uhu
NV the choice Of the people superior power
OF course the ma jOrity are bound 10 eAercise
courtesy TO be frank and fair. TO ADOPT REASON
| able rules Of procedure. and to De go'efheu NJ
, al, times by a conscientious purpose TO promote
IN. nub,ic welfare But they are bound also "
adh.ra IN their own conception OF what me pun
| lie welfare demands. and 10 maintain anu n'iii"e
tho authority conferred upon them. 10 use
| homely phrase. this Is what they are there ror'
| and they would not only serve the people III pu'
| be despised for it, il they permitted disihgehu'
| ous and ouer,llous minority 10 usurp their lunc'
| lions and block their way
Inst now Democratic spokesman III the Ooh'
| ventjon are feeling considerable alarm lest III
| ,be,r eogrrness to invest the Mayors OF great
| Democrat,c cities with absolute power 10 pre-
vent legislative Interference with municipal al
| ,a,rs however shamefully conducted. they nave
| gone too far and compassed the Destruction vi
| q home rule amendment which would haN'
given them practically everything for when 'h'y
| have commended The Committee ON C''ies
| through a serious error Of Judgment as we
have ALWAYS thought and repeatedly sald. or7gi
| nally proposed to bestow an unlualnt" 'e,o
| mower ON local authorities. subsequent mod"
| cation of the article somewhat improved ~ Dy
| enabling n three-ffths majority In each Drahcl
If ,be Legislature to send bill TO the Governor
without a Mayors consent. II the Democratic
| minority had been wise they would nave nc
| cented the amendment In that form. since ho'"
Ing but a popular uprising which II wo"iu w
| folly I'm any party TO resist. could give " prac
| teal effect As matters stand, there Is prop
| ability we are inclined TO say hope, mat '"'
Legislature will not be stripped OF It's present
mower to rescue oppressed municipalities frsll
| The dangers TO which they are continually sub
jected.
| Rut whatever is to he the fate Of this or an!
other proposed amendment to the CONSTITUTION
Il SHOULD be decided by the majority lawful!
and deliberately chosen and Instructed TO contro
the Convention, with due respect for the JUG
mcnt OF Intelligent members OF the minority
INT without a particle Of tenderness for those
who. while they are diligently pursuing fhe
own ends are pretending that they are ahrontet
| md ahuSpd