New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-19
FOR LACK OF A QUORUM.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
FORCED TO CUT ITS SEES
SIONS SHORT.
AN ADVERSE VOTE ON THE REFERENDUM
AMENDMENT PREVENTED BY THE

AN ADVERSE VOTE on THE REFERENDUM
AMENDMENT PREVENTED BY THE
ABSENCE OF DELEGATES.
0RoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT TIN TRIBUNE
Albany Aug 1s-Ex- Senator vedder and other
Republican members OF the Constitutional Conven-
ton were much annoyed last night at the de-
feat by small vote OF Mr. Merenesss pro-
posed amendment forbiddng the State or any
civil division thereof grant any extra compensa
ton or TO increase salaries OF officers during the
terms of Office to which they elected. Ac-
cordingy. to-day Mr. Vedder moved reconsidera-
ton Of the vote by which the amendment was de-
feated He said that the friends Of the measure
recognized the fact that there considerable OPP
position TO IL because II prohibited Increases Of
salaries by Boards Of Supervisors and other local
boards This feature OF the amendment they would
abandon II the convention would permit them to
have the amendment changed in this respect This
statement favorably received, and the vote by
which the amendment defeated was reconsid
cred. Then motion OF Mr. Veddcr. the amend
ment ordered to a third reading and was re-
committed to a committee for revision. 1t should
be stated that the chief opponents OF the amend
ment thus far have been the Democratic members
frsm the cities.
The Committee Cities reported TO the
ton the proposed amendment limiting the debts Of
cities.
The convention then debated for some time Mr.
McKinstrys amendment doing away with the liquor
license system in this state and substituting for
the tax system Of the State OF Ohio.
MR. TEKUI.sY'S UPRIGHT BUSINESS"
Morris Tekulsky. president OF the State Ale. Wine
and Beer Dealers Association. opposed the amend
| ment ne which would Increase the number OF
saloons in this State His association had 1900
members In Ohio and there were probably 5000 more
dealers not connected with the order There were
$500 retail liquor dealers connected with his asso
| N o.
right business" and men OF good moral character
possessed the licenses. II the Ohio Law adopted
| In New-York State many men OF bad moral char
acter would pay the tax and open saloons. The
number Of saloons would probably rise TO 15.o0o.
Nevertheless he favored the abolition OF boards OF
excise. since they were controlled by politicians and
used their powers to political ends The tax
system IN his Judgment would be heavy burden for
the liquor dealers. They also opposed TO the
local option feature which Mr.. McKinstry proposed
| 10 put into the bill
Mr.. McKinstry Offered the following amendment
| 10 the original amendment:
| The Legislature shall also preserve by law the
RICH, OF each city and town by majority yote Of the
electors thereof prohibit traffic In intoxicating
| liquors within the limits OF such city or town.
| Mr. McKinstry then moved that the amen l:nent
| amended be sent back for further consideration
| 10 the committee which had reported H. This mo-
ton adopted
| DTsCt SsING THE REFERENDUM.
| The convention then considered Jonn l. hV'oh-
oughs proposed referendum amendment II was
| bitterly assalled by a large number Of delegates
| Mr. McDonouzh said tina, the amendment rad been
asked for by ;he great labor organizations OF the
Constitution. EXCEPT In one place wnere y ~ pro-
| OF the people there many questions upon which
| the people should have the right TO pass. ms
adcpt the refcrcndum II It wished
Mr Ayori said that TIE Leslsaiurs nigh, as N VEL ell
| adopted the people would b. kept busy, Wtns on
questions concerning which there was ,Slo' IT., re
had always proceeded on the principle that II vas
| lest vote agans, any proposition concerning
Mr. Dean said the title of the amendment should
amenament to snc3urage Sa s9ms
| lives. and they should not have chance to shirk
Sir. iii said tina, the referendum. rs adopted IN
switzerland, had not proved wholly sgcccss og ,hs
,nocsamen, should not be made applicable to the
whole state. but might be limited TO cities ,,v nm
Nv, M Ia stat, sia n %ewuYorS II applicable
STATE was al. T to IL S Hn''s Should be
"Smi,.si g.ops j. was no "a mSr wO qstns
Stat 5 nIp s toe ria Court ~ Appeals ha"
cided that under reprcsenatye FORM n %, bm nv
ment laws could not be made by the people o'' 0'
Mr iamlln said tina, to adopt the zane nmend% bsrs
| Inc p,re democracy stimulated arts and destroyed
human liberty dM In the Italian cities ansrov the
| limitations Of the Legislature II an act was rn,
constitutional (, would only he necessary 10 s'''
Mr. liamln moved tina, the commi'tsse, rise and IND
| report progress on the amendment Inc "'''o"
W." Mr McDonough raised the point OF no quorum o,u
| 4 count showed a quorum present NJ Hollis OILS a
few minutes before o'clock moved 'ea t the Ma 1ing
| ment be reported adversely anu MI. ,nEean 81;
| ,,lk.d the time out until "A recess Was '"hc" ~
| TILE POINT OF 80 QUORUM RAISED.
| When the Convention came together again.
the discussion OF Mr. McDonoughs amend
men, was resumed. l. was known ina, sr,s"
delegates had lief, town since the morning.
| sosslon when there only nine'y-one pres
ON, This left one short OF the eighy-hve required
| 60 make a quorum. Mr.. Cochrane raised me Po.I t
Of order that there was no quo, gu0ruh c Committee on
| Rules 4 count by the clerk. however shoMru ,ae
presence OF nnd rsport the fact pending
order for cali Of tie hoasr ,,.n a,ghfv ;hrec
| only Two forms Of procedure were then ava'lap"
adjournment and call 81 the nous .,. he had
NO knowledge OF the want Of Quorum: nus ,nsn
| having interviewed and vote havInS H H
since The rollcall showing no quorum ,fte o.
he nut the convention once more In Comf'tee ,b S
the Whole the referendum amename snnt 10 rue
quest the presence OF the two delegate ,k ' mp the
Ing TO have the amendment discussed ~ Of no
N W I'm when motion made TO re,ec, IN, me
amendment sompr9mlse WAS To "q report progress
| and at 40 the convention adjourned unt'' 'io"u"'
| morning. ,.,,,,o corh have been avoided
- me Committee on Rules had agreed TO or'' bo M
| r,,,e extending the morning session Ioi az W,
| a Iui nony away with the afternoon session Next
week there viii be no excuses gran1sa n ,' on that
u ao-nnon MANY OF the delegates are IN IaVo. W
Inviting all speeches 10 ten minutes anu nont s,rav
| with either one or both OF the sess'o"' "
CANAL MEN BEsTIR THEMsh''' H'
| DufraIo. Aug IS (SpeciaD.-The Haroor anu -"
| Improvement Committee OF 'he ,.,. oc,,or
:, ,ho canal Committee OF the constitutional con,
ysr,,on in reporting unfavorably certain cana
amendments The following resolution was niope Of
Resolved That the Executive canal Associa.
ns Of New-York State be requested esu sdvss
e 70 secure the adoption by the Consttuonar