New-York tribune., 1905-11-02
ASKS FOR AMENDMENTS.
Correspondent Says Voters Are Pay
ing No attention to Them.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The press and the public seem to have quite
overlooked the fact that there are a number of
amendments to the constitution to be voted on
next Tuesday some OF them of very great impor-
tance Within the last few days nave SPOKEN 10
as many as twenty men, each of whom is wei
versed in public affairs and much interested IN the
coming election and not of them even knew
that sundry amendments to the constitution were
to be voted 1 have seen but one mehtloh OF
the fact in The Tribune and read it regularly six
days in the week The item 1 refer to was not
over half dozen inches long, in the editorial col
umn. and simply gave brief synopsis Of the pro-
posed additions TO the constitution.
THE Sum- had an editorial the amendment
proposing to authorize the legislature to fix the
hours and wages of the employees of municipalities
II. of course opposed to the amendment. as
believe The Tribune also Is and certainly true
friend of the laboring and the intelligent men
of the community share generally the opposition
The legislature has more right TO prescribe the
number of hours workingman shall be permitted
TO work how much wages he shall receive than it
has TO prescribe the number of hours that he shall
sleep or the price he shall pay for bed
also saw an article on the same amendment in
"A Square Deal which represents the views of
employers of our State unanimously. 1 also an
item stating that the labor unions of the State
would make a persistent canvass in favor Of the
adoption of this amendment. and a day or two ago
appropriation of 100000 for good roads
I have have very decided opinion in regard to most
hours and wages of labor I most heartily disap-
prove OF The one in regard to the appropriation
quaintance with the expenditures which have al
ready been made in this direction. which. L think
rule. have been Ill advised If not positively
wasted. In regard to rules touching the service or
judges. 1 think there is quite general opinion
among nou-professional men that if the number of
courts reduced would not need SO many
judges and criminals would get their just dues
much more certainly The one relating & to limiting
a good amendment. but disappearing general,
ly and specifically of all the others think would
yOt general principles.
May 1 not ask The Tribune to publish again at
ments and. believing in it edItorially would like
have its views in regard to the wisdom or un-
tainy ought to be interested in one of these
amendments. Truly yours, ,,r7,
No 112 Madison-ave, New-York, oct. 81, 1906.
The first amendment is to exclude from the COM
putation OF the city debt in determining Its bor-
rowing capacity all bonds issued after January,
1904, on account Of water supply. The seconu is
to authorize the legislature to provide for the pay
ment of interest and sinking fund nstalments
on all State debts out OF any funds in the state
treasury and remit the direct tax that is now
IeyeIled to meet these charges. The third amend
ment will give the legislature power to increase
the number of justices in each judicial district uf-
til in every district except the 1st and I'd. there
should be Justice for each 6000o Inhabitants The
fourth is to give the legislature power to regu-
late the wages and hours of labor Of men employeo
on all public works in political SUBDIVISION OF
the state The fifth is authorize the legislature
to create n debt of 100000 to improve highways
the sixth to extend the twenty limit of State
certificates OF Indebtedness to fifty years and the
seventh Is TO allow justices of the Appellate DlVs-
ions TO perform all duties OF justices OF the Su-
prerpe Court in any department except the one OF
the Appellate Division to which they are asslgheo