New-York tribune., 1898-11-30
COrERNOR AND AMENDMENT.


The Governor-clect has been urged 10 advo-
cate the plan Of biennial sessions in his hrst
message to the Legislature and TO use his infu-
fnce 10 secure the passage of the proposed
amendment a second time and its consequent
submission TO the people. 1t Is not uhhKeiy
that he has also been urged TO do nothing of the
sort; But an omission TO say or DO anNtmhg
obor, The matter would not necessarily mean
that he has no positive opinions on one side OF
,he other. II might mean that he did not con-
slider the subject to be within his province.
Governor Black made large If not an extreme
usc of his power and influence to secure ana
prevent legislation, as a rule to his own credit
md the advantage of the people. But though
even some of his friends thought he went rather
100 far IN that direction. II must be remembered
that the Executive is an important part of the
legislative machinery; that bill before IL can
become law must receive his approval or be
nossed bv q twothirds vote over his veto In
the matter of amendments to the organic law
however rhe case Is widely difcre:'.
l, Is q fact perhaps not often considered that
tbe Governor as Governor j. carefully eX-
cluded from any share in the process OF amend
ing the Constitution. His rights are precisely
those of every private citizen, namely, TO eX-
uress his opinions freely and to vote for or
AGAINST an amendment when it is submitted to
The people The Constitution provides ms fol
lows Article NV. Section !:
ANY amendment or amendments 10 this Con,
stitution may be proposed in the Senate ana
Assembly: and If the same shall be agreed 10
by a majority OF the members elected to eacl
Of the two houses. such proposed amendment
or amendments shall be entered on their JOuf
nais and the yeas and nays taken thereon. ana
referred TO the Legislature 10 De CHOSEN AT ule
noxi general election OF Senators and shall De
puhllsheG FOR three months previous 10 the time
Of making such choice; and If in the Legislature
SO next chosen as aforesaid such proposed
amendment or amendments shall be agreed 70
bv a majority OF all the members elected TO eacn
bonse tbon IL shall be the duty of the Legis
lature 10 submit such proposed amendment Oh
amendments to the people for approval IN such
manner and at such times as the Legislature
snau nrescrib> and II the people shall approve
and ratify such amendment or amendments y;
q majority OF the electors voting thereon, sucl
amendment or amendments shall become par
of the Constitution from and after the mrs.
day OF January next after such approval
Thus the initiative is left wholly TO the Legls
,otrre which retains exclusive control of every
step In the process down 10 the last. the Gov
erpor having no connection whatsoever Will
the transaction until he gees 10 ihe polls Some
of the members who voted for the biennial ses
sions amendment which Governor Flack drafted
and caused 10 be introduced last winter. ant
who sincerely support the proposed change. die
not fully approve his course Admitting bi'
right and hover TO recommend such matters N
he shall Judge expedient" they thought that his
determined advocacy Of the amendment was II
the nature Of Il usurpatian. Whatever Colone