New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-04
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

seven amendments to the fundamental law of
the State of great Importance We're edopted by the
people at the recent election and Became part of
the Constitution on January l. For the most part
these amendments gave rise to but little discussion
and it is not strange that many electors, unable to
act inteligentiy upon them, refrained from voting
The practice is not be commended Of submit
ting numerous, disconnected and complicated con-
case of four of the seven voted on two years after
their final approval by the legislature without the
purpose and object. The provision that a majority
of the electors voting thereon shall be sufficient to
ratify constitutional amendments is necessary and
sanitary, but greater care should be taken to call
The amendments may be briefly summarized as
State Debt-Article VII, ssetion TO- as amended,
provides that in the future provision may be made
for the payment of the principal of any State debt
stead Of eighteen years as formerly from the time
of the contracting, thereof. and also allows the
legislature to provide for the issue of bonds to run
f bonds 1f66e bG go issued m eu and
Article VII. Section II, permits the legislature.
when the revenues from indirect taxation are ade-
the direct annual tax which the constitution has
previously REQUIRED to be levied to pay the pr.
should. in Judgment, avail itself of the authority
Judciary.-The amendment to Article vi Section
2, is self-operatlve, and permits an Appellate Dr.
department. OF the State while not actually engaged
in performing the duties of such Appellate justice
This IS a minor measure of relief for crowded
TO o 9i W Tt t9 me
from time to time to increase the number of justices
The ONCE of Justice of the Supreme Court is one
Of the highest dignity and Importance. The right
Of the citizen to speedy determination Of litiga-
ton is sacred and the laws delays scandal to
judiciary, are entitled to call upon the courts to
decide questions concerning which they cannot
be put to the alternative Of making sacrifices or
waiting several years for judicial decision on the
merits of their claims. The legislature should pro-
coed under this amendment with ans eye single to
the correction of evils due to inadequate ju-
dietary and with no thought of multiplying unnec
essarily the number Of justices to crafty the am
billions of impatient aspirants to the bench IN dis
ment is permssive merely The authority 1t con-
fers need not be exercised at once or in full rec
Ommend that bill be framed with due cOnSidera-
ton the needs of each locality and with proper
respect for the dignity Of the judicial office.
The same amendment permits the legislature to
erect new judicial district out of the I'd Judicial
District constituted.
fix the wages or salaries, the hours of work or
labor and make provision for the protection, vel
fare and safety of persons employed by the State
or by any county, city, town, village other civil
division of the State, by any contractor or sub
contractor performing work, labor services for
other civil division thereof"
under Section added to Article u, create debt
or debts, for the Improvement of highways, not
sum of $5o000,O00. Ample provision is hereby made
for payment by the State Of its share of the cost
from annual revenues which would otherwise be
necessary to carry on the work under existing
laws | renew my recommendation of last year
that the work of highway Improvement be done in
a thoroughly scientific manner under a compre-
public works of real value shall result ana also
suggest that shade trees be planted along all i'm
and that provision for the elimination of grade
crossings be included in the plan or highway I'M
p9o6+e IinTafi6n of New-York CITY selfop-
Grating amendment to Article Section 10, permits
NV of water which shall not be included in deter
mining the debt limitation of said city.