New-York tribune., 1894-01-23
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
IMPORTANCE OF IT TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS
srArr-rHE GREATER NETWORK BILL
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: note with great pleasure your very strong
editorial OF this date about Reformatory Expert
ments" and the reference made therein to the work
~ the approac ching Constitutional Convention
TO me particularly appropriate at this time.
II is TO say the least surprising that this con-
venton and Its probable or possible results have
heretofore received little attention. not only from
the public press but especially from reformers and
agtators for improved government. II Is no ex-
aggeratIon to say that this convention Is the most
imnortant poltical body which this State has seen
in a long while and there Is no reason to believe
that another Of equal importance will be elected
for twenty years come This Is not the oc-
casIon to enlarge upon the possibilities for good
which n new Constitution. drafted upon conserva-
tive lines, may have for the people Of this State.
nor need any Republican be reminded OF the fact
that the Republican party. having the majority In
the convention and being responsible to the people
for Its work. will Justly receive all credit or all
blame which may attach to Its finished labors.
It is however. timely and right to call the at
tention Of all who may be inclined to burden the
present Legislature with the discussion of meas
ures designed to paliate the evils OF Tammany
misrule In this city, that their proper field OF labor
IA the convention, and that they can do no more
efficient work than In carefully elaooratng amend
ments to the Constitution which will. when adopt
Cd Law broad and deep the foundations Of good
municipal government and home rule.
The present Republican Legislature should. In
my opinion limit itself to the undoing OF the mis-
chief of the stolen Legislature which preceded H.
and the passage Of few measures In the interest
of reform and economy which neeo not touch upo"
most curious result Of the ignoring OF tns
SGrsater New-York bill According to I'll. meas, meas,
ure the people OF the proposed Greater New-a s
or or' 10 sssn:t xGs al censodaton sns sam:
election at which IN the ,bs new HeonIe is most csr
tain that the Constitutona CSnyention wiz be com nd
fronted with the Greater Newrf Ss2snd A xreat
many other Important amendments to the Cohst'-
'J1' If New-York. Brooklyn. Long Island City and
Staten Island are to be consolidated into one great
three-mIon commonwealth. the Judiciary must I,s os
%sst 0Tssnise be esssSshed the sarrosass Court w
need organization. and the ooteras o. rd,ny
lines Tine sSs w seSSes Scs H. on
rs ast nS is Se
either event it will be impossible for the conven aGo
ths on so question Of consolidation 1t seems
folly to submit Constitution to the people dra%d ~d
at the same election to the people to vote upon
a proposition to alter the state OF iaCts t,
Great he series sesred Sf NOR viii be
sbie for the convention to provide by geheraI ra
article for consolidation III tne peOpie sho"u
after vote in its favor. The principles inVoIveu
cut too deeply into all the other articles to permit
Amendments upon a contingency.
Under these circumstances, it seems to me 70 oe
clear that the wlsest course for the LEGISLATURE
would be to refer the Greater New-York bill 70
the constitutional Convention. ana measures Gun
no doubt be taken TO ascertain the VIII OF tne PEG
ple in the proposed district before the question -
decided In the summer l., .a <-a.,
The Constitutional Convention IS pody iresh
from, the people OF short duration. and yet egls-
iating practically for twenty years to come. Sucn
a body should not hesitate to grapple with great
and daicut questions. and to settle them IN far
sighted way while, on the other hand, the fact
that the work accomplished must be submitted 10
the people for ratification or rejection. and me
example of the rejected constitution OF 1861 VIII
work strongly for conservatism 1t may safely be
predicted that no radical changes whatever Will be
made with reference to the right OF suffrage, the
general organization Of the State Government or
any other Fundamental question. The great changes
will probably be with reference to local and city gov
eminent and the judiciary. Upon these points the
convention needs the help OF every thoughtful man
in this State and more especially 1t needs serious
advice and fair discussion in the public press.
AS one OF your many admirers. permit me to thank
YOU for starting the ball rolling in The Tribune and
10 hope that you will not weary OF we-doing In
this direction. H.
New-York Jan. 20 1894