New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-27
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE NEXT STATE SENATE.
ITS MEMBERS WILL VOTE FOR SENATOR
HILLS SUCCESSOR.
POLITICIANS ALIVE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
CONTESTS IN THE NEWLY APPoRrIoNED
DISTRICTS MEN WHO SHOULD
BE LEFT AT HOME

[FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBuNE.l
Albany, May 26-The new Constitution OF the
State increases the number Of Senate districts
from thirty-two to fifty. an increase Of eighteen,
and changes the boundaries OF all the present Sem
ate districts. This part Of the Constitution goes
into effect the approaching fall when Senator'S
for term Of three years will be elected. The cir
cumstance that the terms OF the Senators to be
elected will be three years In length instead OF
two, before, and that in 1897 the Senators
elected this fall will cast their votes for United
States Senator to succeed David B. HILL gives an
Importance to the various contests for State Sem
this fall which already is appreciated by the
politicians Of the State Greater interest. indeed.
is taken by them In the conflicts which are al
ready In progress over the nominations for Sena-
tor than in the reapportionment of the Assembly
districts by the various Boards Of Supervisors on
June H. The Assemblymen will be ephemeral
creatures of one years official life only. whereas
the Senator'S. already stated, will sit in the seat
Of legislative power here in Albany for three
years Assemblymen elected under the new APP
portionment this fall therefore. will not have the
felicity Of voting for Republican to
David B. Hill. That duty will be the pleasure Of
the Assemblymen elected in 1896
A good many people who desire better leglsla-
ton OF the opinion that an enlargement Of the
State Senate will improve the character OF egisa-
ton. since, with larger Senate, 1t will not be in
the power Of two or three men. by using their
votes balance Of power, to pass or defeat bills
In Senate OF thirty-two members two or three
men Of palpably bad character have indeed had
great power. and. as a general thing. 1t may be
said that there have been more evidences Of cor
ruption in the Senate with its small mem bership
than in the Assembly with it's large membership
OF 12s men. Probably lobbyist would say that It
is cheaper 10 buy two or three Senators than q
dozen Assemblymen There can be no improve
ment however In the moral character and legis-
latve ability Of the State Senate unless greater
care Is taken with the nominations and by voters
than has been taken for good many years past.
In view of the long term Of the Senator'S 10 be
elected this year and the important duties in
carrying out the new Constitution which they
will have TO perform it is to be hoped that men Of
a far higher type will be nominated than was the
case In 1898 The reform movement which de-
feated Isaac II. Maynard in 1893 and Roswell p.
Flower in 1894 1t can be suspected. will now sweep
out of Office a number Of State Senators who have
been a discredt to the State and put in their
places men who will be an honor to IT. In this
work Of retiring certain men 10 private life the
Republican party has task OF its own II It's
Senate district conventions nominate Henry J.
Coggeshall. George w. Robertson and William H.
Reynolds after their betrayal of their party In the
matter OF the New-York Police Reorganization
bill. the people Of the State will have no hope Of
reform legislation for the approaching three years.
The new Senate districts. according to the State
census OF 1892 had the following population Ia
that year: