The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-29
BOWERS WANTS FAIR PLAY.
Demands Reports of Committees
ofthe Constitutional Convention.
me Republican Caucus Leads to an
Exciting Haranguc.

| ALBANY, N. Y. Aug. 2y.-Soon after
the gavei fell in the Constitutional Con-
vent!on this morning the Democrats
showed that they had heard of the
caucus of Republicans and its deci-
sI0rS, Led by MIR. Bowers. they began
at once to obstruct the considerat ton of
the cities article by asking for re-
port from the Committee on State
Officers as to the term of office of
Senators and Assemblymen. Mr.. Bow
ers said that it was impossible to work
intelligently on the cities article where
1t alluded to elections.
Mr.. Root, in a decidedly caustic man.
ner. said, "Mr. President, the present
occupation of some members of this
body seems to be to give instructions
and tell the COMMITTEES what to do with
Mr.. Bowers came down into the well
and said excitedly: I'VE propose to be
treated fairly in this matter. All conf
mittees were ordered to report by a
certain date, and there IL no reason why
they should not Immediately report"
Mr.. Cochran moved that the Commit
tee on Judiciary be ordered to report
forthwith decision as to whether the
Convention would adjourn on Sept. L.
A number of Republicans voted with
ried.
Then Mr.. Bowers moved that the Gov
ernor and State officers Committee re-
port forthwith. This was lost by a
strictly party vote.
attention to the fact that, unlike the
conventions of 1867 and 1916, the canal
question was being entirely ignored
ne moved to make the question a
lay the motion on the table and called
for the yeas and nays. Nearly all of
the Republican members along the ca
nal. except MIR. Mcmillan and Mr.. Beck
err. voted with MIR. Roche to aid the
canal question. The motion to lay on
the table was carried. thus killing MIR.
Roche's motion.
There was an attempt on the part of
Mr.. Springweiler to get his amendment
in regard to employers liability out of
general orders and make 1t a special
order, but he was not successful, al
the thirty-tive Democrats.
The convention had started to go into
committee OF the whole on the cities ar
tone Of voice: II would like to offer a
report before the convention goes in a
(w) hole"
There was a roar of laughter and MIR
Needer said: 1T seems to me that the
convention is in a hole now"
The committee took up discussion of
the section of the cities article relating
to the removal of the heads of the Po-
lice Department
Mr. Nlcoll moved to strike out the
entire section. The Chair q. S. johnson
Rep0 raped out all attempts al debate.
and the amendment was lost on a viva
voce vote
The section as adopted allows the Gov
ernor to remove the head of any police
department, but does not allow him to
appoint the successor, leaving him to be
APPOINTED by the Mayor
When section four was taken UP Mr.
Davenport said that he desired at this
point TO ask the adoption of the minor
ity report as the substitute for the report
Of the majority. He did not press the
point at this time.
Mr.. Bush Dem., Ulster) offered an
amendment to section four, striking out
the provision allowing proportionate mi
norfity representation In common coun-
cis of cities.
Mr.. Hollis made a long argument In
favor of minority representation. He
said: There Is in New York City class
of 100000 people who are practically dis
enfranchised because in the government
OF the city by the Common Council they
have no say"
He closed by saying: I'VE are told that
the minority have decided that they
cannot vote for this measure. so in
the Republican majority to aid In keep
ing this measure intact"
Mr.. Jacobs Republican, was in favor
of the motion OF Mr. Bush to strike cut.
He gave Illustrations to show how the
system would work to the detriment OF
the people.
Mr.. Goodelle Republican was also
against proportionate representation.
and the vote sustained him.