New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-27
huEyDyENTs TO THE CONSTITUTION.

hurVDNENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
The legislative contests il this State are likely
10 be wagcd without much attention being paid
10 several proposed amendments TO the Consu'
tutlon. which having already received the ap'
proval Of one Legislature. only need that OF an
ether to come before the people at the polls for
their approval or their condemnation And yet
these amendments are Of great importance.
There are five Of them. and. as Il whole. they IN
volye a serious alteration Of the organic nstru-
ment which was believed by its trainers TO be
so perfect that notifications would be unneces-
sary for many years.
The judiciary article was especially the PRIDE
Of the Constitutional Convention. The CHIEF
members Of the Convention were eminent law
yers who unselfshly took much time from III
cratlve practice at the bar, with the sole
thought of putting the courts OF the state in
such n condition thai they would be able to
transact all legal business swiftly and eiii-
GENTLY. The Cour: Of Appeals was relieved OF
large amount Of work, which was transferred
to new courts-thc appellate divisions or the
Supreme Cortland it was declared that hero
after the highest court Of the State would read
lly keen up with its calendar Only four years
have passed and yet already it Is proposed 10
rive The Court OF Appeals assistance, because IL
IS unavoidably falling behind in lis work. One
If the amendments therefore provides that,
whenever a majority of the judges of the Court
Of Appeals shall certify to Tie Governor that
the Court Is unable by reason OF an accumula-
ton of cases 10 dispose e its work promptly
The Governor shall designate fodr justices Of
the Supreme Court 10 serve rs associate judges
II the Court of Appeals. In Il second proposed
amendment 10 The Constitution authority -
given 10 the presiding justices of'nn appellate
division Of the Supreme Court 10 certify 10 the
Governor that one more ad'lil onal justices
are needed for the speedy disposition of bust
uess before It.
The charter of New-Yorl IS affected by one
proposed amendment transferring the powers
Of boards OF supervisors 70 municipal assem-
bes. and by another In relation TO the citys
bonded Indebtedness These amendments may
be regarded as OF minor importance. but there
follows one which affects the whole State. The
amendment: referred 10 is that which provides
for biennial sessions Of the Legislature This
proposition. though somewhat earnestly debated
last winter. has not by any means received that
careful consideration 10 when II Is entitled.
New-York is n great state with many vast III
terests in rs charge affecting business men in
every part OF tho United States. It's Legislat-
ure audlts psyrOlls OF State employees and bills
Of State departments which aggregate $50,
OOoOO0 annually. The voters will have 70 de-
eide whether under these circumstances they
can wisely and safely vote 70 have the Lcgls-
lature meet only once in two years. They have
seen OF late years n tendency to magnify tie
authority Of the Governor at the expense OF the
Legislature. The biennial sessions amendment
will stin further reduce the power of the Legis-
lature and increase that Of the Governor. The
proposal possesses merits which there is no dis
position to deny, and experience, here ms else
where, might Justify the change. Obviously IT