New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-18

GOVERNOR FLOWER VETOES THE sAXTOH BILL
PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE
REVISED CONSTITUTION IN install
MENTs
IRON NE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OIL THE rRID"ss
Albany May 17-Governor Flower was in a scrfb-
bling mood to-day, and therefore vetoed Senator
saxton's bill relating 10 the Constitutional Conven-
don Mr. Saxton had two objects In view In this
BILL one to provide for careful consideration OF
all the amendments which the Constitutional Con
vcntlon may propose. and, secondly. TO nave the
suggested amendments printed on blanket ballot
and not on separate ballots. He thought that pos
sbly the Convention might be in session until near
the time OF the November election. and might then
have such a number OF amendments TO suggest mat
the delegates would think 1t best. in order 10 give
the voters Of the State ample opportunity to anaiyze
them to submit certain amendments to a popular
vote in November. 1894 and the remainder in No
vember 1885
Under the separate party ballot system now exist
ing IN this State by grace Of David b. Hill. each
proposed amendment 10 the Constitution must be
printed on a separate ballot But this is not the
worst Of the arrangement. There must be an aye
and nay" ballot upon each proposition in relation
10 the Constitution. II. therefore there are twenty
amendments 20 the Constitution proposed. there will
he forty ballots. twenty ayes" and twenty nays
handed 20 the unfortunate voter at the polls TINS
fall who will already have In his possession I'VE
separate party ballots. and possibly several othef
ballots OF Independent candidates. 1t was TO save
the voter from the confusion OF mind consequent
unon having such a mass OF ballots thrust at MIN
at one time that Senator Saxton In his Dill au'hor
lied the Constitutional Convention to prescribe the
printing Of the proposed amendments and inc he'a-
tive vote upon them on one blanket ballot ms
would have given voters an opportunity l" 'e'' wv
! blanket ballot system.
Governor Flower does not say anything about
this blanket ballot proposition In his veto bu; dis
| approves the bill on the following GROUNDS; ms
! bin amends the Constitutional Convention act Dy
authorizing the convention in its discretion 70 SUD
NIT 20 the people their adoption or rejection the
| ,,,o,o ~ tho revised Constitution at the general
election next November. at the general election
| In November 1885. 10 submit part OF the
amended Constitution at next fairs general elecuo
and the remainder at the general election IN 1880
This in my opinion. cOnfers altogether 700 mnch
| discretion upon the Constitutional Convention. IL "
contrary 10 the policy adopted and followed IN sub
r,i,t,rr the revised Constitutions OF ISL. 1910 anu
| 1861 r'pon each OF these preceding occasions II
was thought best 10 submit the revised CONSTITUTION
-, o,e election am convinced that this policy was
the wiscst one and that the precedent thus ee'ao-
ushcd should be followed in the submission OF the
| amendments which are to be recommended by the
| convention OF this year The Legislature mas a.
! ready provided that the amendments or TeNlscd
! Constitution. shall be submitted 10y the cohF'".D"
tothepeopc the general election next faii ana th
be voted upon as a whole. or in such separate
nropositions as the convention shall dce; practical
| bic or as the convention shall ny resoiu'io" ne
ciar, This is following the precedents OF the past
and r. the policy which am sure would sNe '"e
| greatest satisfaction TO the people ~
The Governor also vetoed Senator Ch'idS VA.
| for the construction Of 100000 iunne. oehea'h
| Ncwtoyn Creek between Queens ana hlhS'
| counties The reasons given for the veto were Tue
expense Incident 10 the tunnels construction me
opposition to the bill among cltiz ms gehe'a'''
AMI bv the local authorities" ana the tact '"a'
people seem TO prefer bridges to tunnels
covcrnor Flower af.xel his veto 10 Senator . Con
nor,s bnl providing for the taking OF testimony
In cases OF contested elections OF delegates % 'he
Constitutional Convention He thus commented on
the bill - g.,
fore county Judge Supreme Court judge, Superior
Court judge or the judge Of any Guy oV ,h nns:.
! tlonal Convention
Part Of the bill reads as follows:
..rhe following fees shall b. allowed TO an oicer
examination Fer ISSUING d tne party 3
t .h dr an oath or Affirmation i22 cents;
for reducing the testimony OF each witness 10 VII
oSv thereof for each foIo for certifying the test
n5ny ana nclosing the same to the secretary Vi
state. g cents"
This provision is clearly unconstitutional under
Article Vi Section q. OF the Constitution wheA
no judicial officer except justices of the peace.
.ha reSceIve TO his own use any fees perqusites
OF office.
Governor Flower has used his veto cluo on th'
head of the Grand Army OF the Republic by refusing
70 sgn a bin which exempts the property OF Grand
Army posts from taxation. In his memorandum the
Governor says:
SO many special bills exempting the properly oil
| various institutions or classes of institutions from
| taxation have in recent years been passed IN me
| Legislature that a year ago refused 10 sign any
more specal bills OF this characpr-insistng mat
GENERAL law sufficiently comprehensive should DC
framed 10 answer all proper purposes ana 10 emDody
NO General Motley OF the STATE with regard TO exemp
tons from taxation. All additional LEGISLATION o.
this kind should amend the general law. nave
already refused give my approval to several spe
cal bills passed during the recent session or me
Ieeisiature and consistently with that course
therefore I cannot afiix my signature TO mis- DILL
| no matter how deserving Its object may be-