New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-09
THE CONVENTION OPENED.
HE OUTLINES THE PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS TO BE
CONSIDERED. AND coUNsELs MODERATION

CONSIDERED. AND CoUNsELs MODERATION
IN DEALING WITH THEM.
IRON TIE REGULAa CORRESPONDENT TRrDrNB
Albany. May S-The Constitutional Convention
| OF 1894 was organized to-day, and listened to an
address from its presiding officer. Joseph H.
| Choate. outlining the work OF the convention.
which was veritable masterpiece. Mr. Choate
had the honor. Furthermore Of an election as
president outside Of party lines a large number
of Democrats voting with the Republicans for
him. He received 12i votes out OF the 175 cast
by the ninety-eight Republicans and the seventy
seven Democrats who are members of the con-
vention
The noble Assembly Chamber was the scene
OF the conventions first days work. American
flags had been draped over the wall back of the
Speakers desk and the arms OF the State.
crowned by a golden eagle, placed above the
flags. This the sole decoration OF the room.
The l15 red mahogany desks and chairs OF the
Senators and Assembymen had been placed In
the usual circle about the Speakers desk: but
they occupy so much space that some Of the
| delegates favor the erection OF a tribune from
which to deliver set speeches
The appointed hour of meeting was II a. m
| but an hour before that time many of the leading
| delegates were present Mr.. Choate arrived
early in company with Elihu Root and Edward
| LauterDach, or New-fork.
The Democrats held a caucus in the Assembly
parlor before the convention opened. Politics
were disavowed but politics certainly swayed
the caucus. Roswell a. Parmenter OF Troy.
elected chairman and Eugene Durnin OF New
York. secretary. The Tammany Hall delegates
took the lead in the clucus. William Mem.
Speer offered the following resolution:
Resolved. That the delegates here present deny
the right OF eny 10 bind the action OF the In
dIvldual members Of this convention and that every
delegate should act on all matters before the con-
vention according to his individual Judgment and
the wishes OF the people.
Nelson Smith moved amendment that
candidates should be nominated for president
and vice president OF the convention.
John NJ. Bowers opposed the amendment II
the Republicans had been partisans and had
selected candidates FOR president and other Of
fees in n caucus, the Democrats should not fol-
low their bad example and make the selection
OF officers Of the convention n matter Of party
politics.
Mr. Smiths amendment was voted down. and
then Mr.. Speers resolution was adopted.
TIE CONVENTION OPENED
The convention was called to order at II
o'clock by the silver-haired war veteran. John
Palmer. Secretary OF state. Mr.. Palmer took
possession Of the clerks desk. and had Andrew
war veteran. take a place al the clerks desk for
the purpose of calling the roll. Prayer was
offered by the Rev. DR.. Battershall. rector OF
81 Peters Church. Albany The delegates were
then sworn In by the Secretary of state, The
nfteen Republican dccgstes-at-large. headed by
Mr. Choatc the first 10 take the oath.
The delegates also signed the big record book OF
the Secretary ~ State.
ELECTION or OFFICERS
When all had been sworn In Mr.. Palmer an
nounced that nominations for president Of the
convention were In order. Elhu Root formally
nominated Joseph II. Choate. The Democrats
made no nomination. Mr.. Alvord thereupon
suggested that the roll be called and each man
name his choice for president John VI. Bowers
objected for the Democrats. and demanded that
n ballot be- taken His request was granted.
and Commodore T. Vedder and De Lancey Nicoll
were chosen the teers. The balloting took
about iftecL minutes When II over Mr..
Nicoll announced that Joseph II. Chcate had re-
ceved l2i votes. or twenty-six more than the
Republicans possess: and that the remaining
vote was divided follows: Andrew II. Green,
s: Johr Blgeow. 8; Wright Hocomb. ,; Nelson
Smith .: Gideon J. Tucker, .. De Lancey Ncoll,
2. Mirabcau l.. Towns. !. Edwin Countryman. l;
Roswell \. Parmrnter. !. David Mcclure. l,
Charles II. Truax. L. william H. Veeder l. and
John H. Peck, |.
The Secretary Of State announced that Mr..
Choate had been duly elected president. and APP
pointed Elihu Root and Edwin Couniryman to
MR. CIiOATES SPEECH.
Mfr Choate was received with great applause
when he appeared In the Speakers desk. lie
bowed his thanks and then began an. address
which was frequently interrupted with applause.
speaking as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Convention; should be false 20
every manly influence II | were not overcome with
such generous vote by the combined delegates or
the state Of New-York to preside over this conven-
tbe lf1os m
Office 1t shall be rendered possible by your
confidence and support Gentlemen. II Is a mos mos
many millions OF peop.e gather together after an IN
vising and amending the fundamental law Of the !
State. II Is true that there was an intermeiiate
tected by the people and so 70 this day We have |
been living and prosperns Inder tne Son'utntioh
by a majority OF the people.
Great changes have taken pace since that day; |
our population has multiplied over and over; the
wealth OF the State has magnhed to an enormous
degree: the habits and customs or the people nave
,bn fact thnt under his CONSTITUTION that
nov called on TO amend there has been general,
weI,brIng of the people OF this state. And SO. al
though II may not be for me to indicate or suggest
how FAR the work Of this convention shall be ex-
tenled may perhaps be INDUCED In one or two
suggestions that are pertinent TO this moment
our deliberations should from this moment be con
Quoted II s true we come mere sem & by
OF the peop.e and to perform their work And II
am not mistaken. we have met win a @ pufpoSSe pose TO 10
act not az partisans not as politicians but oh as
citizens and servants OF the peop.e Ana pr.leVes
the great questions OF policy and principle mat sha
come before us we shall not be actuateu oy any
partisan spirit whatever.
\ DECLARATION or CONSERVATISM
This Constitution are not commissioner "s
H. 10 treat with any rude or sacrilegious
hands. To It's general features. the statutes 'he
Judicial decisions. the habits OF this. great people
nave long been accustomed and adapted ana IL
seems to me that should be false to our rus, II
se entered upon any attempt to tear asuhuer tis
,tructure which for many years has sa'isheu III
he main the wants OF the people OF the State OF
Sew-York. g. pplauseD , -. ,,o.
And yet, gentlemen there are certain great aueSs,
ions which we are to consider which stare us IN
he face at the very outset OF our proceedings an1
Inn q IN minds until the nny OF |