New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-11

CHARLES T. FITCH.
Secretary Constitutional Convention.
sacretarv,s desk is concerned. complicated
than that Of the Legislature. but under MT fltch
guidance the work OF the convention mas been 'hor
oughy organized and now il Is done promptly ana
10 the satisfaction Of the delegates MI Fltch
editorial life and his labor for great many years
as q Regent of the University also have put him in
possession of facts which are Of great use 10 the
members Of the convention
FOR AND AGAINST WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
The convention has had two bodies OF petitioners
personally before Il thus far in relation 10 proposed
amendments TO the Constitution. The Ieadihs oodY
has been the women and men who favor the grant
Ing Of suffrage to women Women have been the
chief speakers upon these occasions. Among them
have been Miss Susan 3. Anthony. Mrs Jean
Brooks Greenleaf, Mrs. DR. Jacob and many
women prominent in the Woman Suffrage party.
But the women who made the most impression
upon the delegates TO the convention were rot the
professional womens rights women; Il was the
women who came from quiet fresides all over the
State on Wednesday evening last and addressed
the Suffrage Committee. These women, with their
earnes, and sincere speeches IN behalf Of woman
sufrraga did more to convince the membera Of the
convention that some at least want The banot
more than their sisters did who have been making
addresses in behalf of woman suffrage Tor years
pre- anaynt ts spaiSy 81 he Wemens AnWonan
Suffrage League. which sprang into such vigorous
rention Beyond presenting a Few petitions
against swomans suffrage this organization has
however Mathew Hale Wi! appear IN It's behalf
eloquent and able man. but the delegates would
also like hear from some Of the prominent women
who are opposed TO woman Suffrage
MONEY FOR SECTARIAN SCHOOLS
The convention also has become aware that there
Is considerable intensity Of feeling In regard 10 the
granting Of public money for the support of sec
tartan schools. Three OF Its committees ia the
course OF the week just passed listened 10 speeches
from Bishop Doane. Of Albany; William Allen But
Ter and the Rev. DR.. James NJ. siing. Of New-fo rk
and other members OF the National League for the
Preservation OF American Institutions In favor Of
e proposed amendment to the Constitution intended
10 shut out all appropriations for sectarian instiu
rsnrsseStative of Arcbbishop Correan and Fred
eric r. Coudert Will appear before the same com
Church will oppose the suggested Amendment. The
Convention for three DAYS viii inspect the sociaran
and non,sectaran schools "a New ORR which re-,
iceiye public money. and VIII report the result o.
rheir inspection 70 the convention.
TO MAKE THE ERIE a SHIP CANAL.
The canal men Of the State are also intending to
appear before the convention. John r. McDonougA,
OF Albany. Republican delegate-at-iarge, has IN
troduced amendment 10 the Constitution pr
hitting the transfer Of the Erie Canal 20 tho care
OF the Unitel States Mr.. McDonough believes TIA.
the United States Government should construct a
ship canal along the line OF the Erie Canal. The
New-Yo-k Produce Exchange has issued a call for a
meeting here June j. OF the canal OF this
State At this meeting Mr.. McDonoughs pro
posed amendment 10 the Constitution pTovdins ior
the sale or lease OK the Erie Canal - the United
1)onough said yesterday: 1T Is obvious that the
people OF this State are unwilling 10 take upon
Erie Canal 70 the dimensions OF ship canal Bui
4 the canal Is not enlarged CANADA VII take our
lease OF the Erie Canal % the United states Gov
eminent. have just received from Washing on
Committee Canals
in which that committee recommsnis NE appro-
cable route Tor ship canal wholly within The
United States between ne Great Lakes and the
Hudson River; rms report aEldz"i me- Tor II
showed that there is more c9lnmerce Ihrough ;hs
there Is through the Sacz Canal In 1870 there
passed through the Sauit Canal 1851 vessels. nav
Through the Suez Canal the year there
passed only 3S5s vessels, having net registered
as many vessels and over 10000 tons 0.
freight passed through the saut Canal than passed
10 that great commerce by persuadng the United
sta ase of Se 9Sl snip 'A'A' through 'n'
GOVERNMENT OF CITIES.
Another body Of petitioners consists OF men con
nected with municipal reform clubs. who labor
ing TO bring about reformation OF city govern
ments Seth Low, president OF Columbia College
is the chief Of this body OF citizens who hav,
been here and addressed the Committee on Cities
eminent OF cities suggested 10y these gentlemen :!
Al their request amendments 70 the Constitution
have been Introduced which Will bring about tn,
holding OF State elections IN the even years an.
OF municipal elections IN the uneven years.
A good many OF the rural Republican delegate.
say that II the members OF the Legislature have
their terms heightened the Assenblymen TO tw(
years and the Senators 10 four years. they alsS
should be elected IN the years; that is. In th
wears when Governor, Lieutenant Governor anC
other State officers elected The object OF Thu
will be to obtain, II possible a harmonious gov
ernment-a Legislature and State officers Of th
same party faith. II the members Of the Legs
lature should be elected in the uneven years thel
fear that since city officers only would he cecte,
that year rural voters would not take an interes
in the ELECTION and a consequence city influence
would prevail. The cities in of years" therefore
might elect Legislature OF one politica
complexion and the State as a whole In the ever
wears might elect State officers OF the opposite
political party. There would thus be an opposition
between the Executive and the Legislative power
which might not tend TO the public good. Gov
the appropriation pay the expenses OF the Lexov
Investigating Committee, ordered by the Republi
can Legislature of this year. because he saw
would disclose horrible corruption on the part o
Democratic leaders in New-York The inyestiga
ton has justified his fears.
DISCUSSING LENGTHS or TERMS.
Two committees of the convention have alread
passed resolutions in favor OF the separation 0
State and city elections. These the Committe
on Cities and the Committee on Legislative Organi
gation There remain 10 act upon the same subjec
the Committee on Governor and State Officers an
he Committee County Town and Village Govern
ment. When all these committees nave acted o.
The resolution they will meet In joint session 10 con
pider the details OF the subject II Is possible Their
may be differences disclosed In regard 10 the DC