The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-04
COSSTI1UrIOSAL AugNDMEyrs.
what These Provide for That Are to lie
Voted for at This Election.

| There are four very important constitutional
| amendments to be voted Tor at this election.
| Very little has been said about any Of them.
| except the second. which provides for the sspa-
ration OF the oitys bonded debt from
the county debt. As II Ii now the county
debt Is counted In the city debt. and the con-
sttutional provision fixing the debt limit
OF the city makes II impossible for
the city 10 raise sufficient money on bonds
to carry on needed public improve
ments. Particularly It will he impossible
to build the rapid transit railroad planned by
the Rapid Transit Commissioners unless this
amendment 10 adopted. II the amendment
10 adopted aud the county debt is
separated from tho city debt. tho
city's borrowing power will be increased Just
that much and all the money needed can be
obtained. Comptroller Coler's interest In this
amendment is what has called particular atten-
The frst amendment to. be voted for nbol-
ishes the superhuous Boards o. Supervisors IN
dsvolyes their functions on the municipal n.
sembl Tho adoption OF this amendment
would simplify the so,srnment 0i ,hs 1esri no
The third am end msnt 4. dem andcd by nearly
all the lawyers and by litiganis j. provides
for facilitating the business Of the Appellate
Division OF the Supreme Court hy permiltng
ns o o. Of one depart
AZ tho situation IN nowithe Appellate Division
" the Supreme Court in this department ana
In the second department 10 over-rtn with bus
mess and there Ia considerable delay in the
settlement OF cases. while in other depart
ments In the state there il comparatively
little business aud Judges ara idle. II tho
amendment passes the work OF the courts here
will be lightened and cnses will he disposed OF
much quicker than they are at present
The fourth amsndm ent permits tile cover
nor OF the State to designate not TO exceed Tour
justices OF the supreme Court 10 sit as Assoc
elste justices OF the Court OF ApreaIs I'M
I'll that Court has caught UP with rs
supreme Court bench. This lawyers and the
Judgea say that this amendment - really the
most important OF the lot. for the reason that
tho calendar OF tho Court OF Appeals Is in such
u condition that II takes nearly two years TO
reach n case and get decision.
~ the Governor Is permitted 20 dsslGnate
four supreme Court Judges 1t will be possible
to catch mp with this calendar. but II lie
Is not and the Judges Of the Court nj Appeals
are compelled to do all the work as they
must now tho calendar will keep on getting
longer and longer and IL will take more and
more time every year to get decisions The
State Bar Association has issu.d AL address TO
anne dment Democratic politicians oppose
IL for the reason hat the Gov rnor NJ the
present time is a Republican and they don't
want n Republican Governor 10 make the APP
pointments. Both lawyers and judges, how
ever. declare that there is no politics In the
All the amendments have been adopted bv
endorsed by Gov. Roo,eyelt. and outside OF tho
oppos ton of the Democratic politicians spoken
OF to the fourth amendment there Is no oppo.
sition TO any OF them.