New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-22

ton adopted in the State from which II ID taken
has been adopted as well as its words H. tnere-
fore counsel this occasion are justified IN predi-
eating that the clause under criticism had acquired
in the manner indicated a settled meaning at me
time in question it must be admitted that this would
be the sense In which II should be no" reau anu
understood But upon careful examination OF me
subject am satisfied that the assumption OF me
question is wholly without basis. SO far as nave
or statesman. has ever asserted tnat tne cisusr
under discussion bears the force and meaning now
for the first time imputed to it. and i would nave
been singular indeed II any critic hau ventul s "a
express an opinion. for the construction pro ,e
absolutely would refuse to bear such treatment
The expressions employed do not IN any oe gree
simply provide for the length of the term OF that
body 1t is hat by mSars Hn tn the body the
Potentially of unbroken existence. but II d9es no.
impart TO the body such continued vac; ba
II is safe TO say that never on any occdsiVn LIE
il been suggested that the clause has any further
The The Senate of the United states has been de-
carei 10 be a permanent body. and when ne SUB
ject under discussion i Was d on az redistribution
from which has been stated our own o mas cen
copied TO the Senate an APTITUDE ,o thai Il
was possessed Of any further effect me vivshs
20 lS'G receivng it was looked for and discovered in
other constitutional ad1ustments ana pp ai4ays
the provision mat o Esye This is factor
and relied by every one who mas WrI',em uRo'i
the subject and similarly It has been IN, me lponRoytv
OF the Senate. 1t deemed that the permanency
NJ the presiding officer conSututen tne peiIHa's"N
~ the body itself as by such constitution there
was no necessity for periodical reorganization
1T MUST BE CONSTRUED By ITSELF
II is obvious therefore that the construction put
upon the National Constitution can have but httIe
effect in an effort to construe our own. Inc prop
lens are differently conditioned, 50 that the soIu-
ton of one of them will afford bat slender assist
ance in the solution OF the other. We must con-
strl,e our own Constitution exclusively by us own
lights Adopting this method l VIII no" tufn "
,he several provisions OF the Constitution OF inns
State that appear to me IN any degree 10 eiuoua'e
the question under consideration. $1,000. ,
Upon opening this instrument the n!st iedtuIe "a
&, that in connection with the subject in namo,
strikes our attention is the declaration tnat ne
senate shall be composed of one senator from edcis
county in the State. elected by the eSai No'cs Vi
the counties etc. ,, .s.,o tho IN
oiirv al once arises: Does II mean tnat al an
times within the range OF human poss!oiilty sucn
eha ne tho composition of the BODY IN question: oI
that IL shall have such composition only some tiines
Does il mean that some occasions Inc oehdtt
ehau he compOsed of Senator from eacn count!
and on other sons. in the orderly WORKING OF te
system established. II shall be composed Oh only
tvo-thirds OF such members! IL Is dlHcuit 10 sVss
how Il can be piausbly argued that the clause citel
il not designed establish ~ far as possible per
manent composition Of the senate. Ana ths view,
n must be admitted Is much strcnSthciled "hel'
,e look at the purpose Of this provision Jhat puI-
nose obviously Is provide that each count! snall
he perpcualiy represented and have voice IN thls
body on every measure that comes before IL, WHAT
ever its ma t,re may he. To deprive county OF
such a prerogative Ii plainly UNJUST, ana therefore
PRODUCTION Of such a wrong should be viewed with
dstrust and should not he sanctioned unless upon
Combinations that amount TO REORGANIZATION OF
lis correctness. And adQptins us as Inc srou'o