The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-30
MINORITY MEANS ANARCHY.
Holoomb's Object n to Clause for
Proportionate Representation.
Choate's NJ ,tion to Reconsider Causes
n Lively Discussion.
(By Associated Press.


ALBANY. N. Y. Aug. so.-When the
morning session of the Constitutional
Convention opened to-day. Mr.. Choate
detailed the Committee on Rules to put
the Cities Committee amendment to
vote at 12.45 o'clock to-day.
Mr.. c. b. Mclaughlin wanted to pre-
sent an amendment to the article, and
IL this decision of the Committee was
sustained. he saw no opportunity to do
30.
Mr.. Root said that he did not know of
any proposition to amend the article ex-
cept that coming from the minority. He
was willing to have the matter go back
to the Committee on Rules for further
discussion. and that was agreed to.
The discussion of Mr.. Choate's motion
to reconsider the cities article and insert
In 1t clause allowing minority repre-
sentation in the common councils of all
cities over 2Su0Oo in population, was
Mr.. Hfolcomb Demscrae. of New
york, was the first speaker, and said
that the proposition for minority repre-
sentation was simply to provide a buffer
between the will Of the people, the ma
tority and the minority, SO as to keep
some OF the minority in position to rep
resent Anarchy or Populism or Coxey-
This amendment would certainly let In
any class OF people who represented a
minority, and what harm, could these
light in a body and assimiiate with an
other small body of malcontents. He
argued that they might turn to be a ma
Jority. and so overturn the wishes of the
Mr.. Z. B. Mclaughlin Republican, Of
fered substitute for the whole bill as
Section There shall be in the several cities
dermen. to be composed OF such members, and
TO be elected, and in such manner as is or may
Sec. s-Ths Legislature shall by general laws
confer confer upon the Common Council or Board Of Al
Hsrmsn OF the several etlss Of this STATE. includ-
further power OF local legislation and admins
tr.tlon as the Legislature may from time to time
Mr.. Blake. Of New York. speaking of
Mr.. Choate's amendment, said that to
his mind 1t proposed a scheme that was
In every way un-Americsn. and In every
always decided to abide by the rule Of
Mr.. Root, in a heated argument. de-
American scheme. 1t was time that the
great city Of the State should have a
government that represented all the
people and nc not puEehasabis majority;
than the Democratic party had the
patronage IL, that great city. 1t would be
able to hold majority.
The Common Council OF New York.
representing a majority. had been one OF
the worst travesties on Justice or pure
legislation that ne had ever seen, a
State. He hoped that the amendment
Of Mr., Choate would prevail. for 1t
would be q solution OF the entire ques-
ton of good government for large cities.
Mr.. Bush said that when the Judi
ciary article was under discussion the
President had protested against allow
ing voters to cast vote for only one
additional Judge of the Court OF APP
peals. He could see no difference.
II this minority representation was
good thing why did not they extend 1t
80 that the Republicans of the cities of
Syracuse or Rochester could give the
Democrats representation in the Com:
ton?
He believed that this was simply
scheme TO make the Democrats vote
against the whole article Of the Con-
stitution and then the Republicans can
go to the people and say. we tried to
give you home rule. but the Democrats
would not let us"