New-York tribune., 1909-10-29
THE AMENDMENTS.

The four proposed amendments to the
New York State constitution affect. to
speak briefly. first, the salaries of Su-
preme Court justices; second. the interest
rate on state debts; third, the auditing
of county bills, and fourth. the borrow
ing power of cities. All of them have
been acted on favorably by the Legislat-
ure, and now await action at the polls
next Tuesday in the manner provided by
the organic law of the state Each Of
them, if approved by a majority of the
electors voting thereon, will be a part OF
the state constitution on and after jan
uery l, 1910.
The judicial salaries amendment pro-
vides for a compensation of not less
than $4,000 year for all justices of the
Supreme Court, to be paid by the state.
At present, Supreme Court justices, out
side of the First. Second and Ninth judi
cial districts, receive salaries of $4,000,
with allowances of 81 200 for expenses.
In the First, Second and Ninth districts,
comprising the counties Of New York.
Kings, Queens. Richmond, Nassau. Suf-
folk. Westchester, Putnam, Orange,
Dutchess and Rockland, they receive
$1,000 year. The amendment pro-
Nldes that the justices in those three
districts shall continue to receive their
present compensation. 1t further pro-
vides that those justices Of the Supreme
Court assigned to the appellate divi-
slons of the Third and Fourth depart
ments shall each receive in addition
Ito the SlOO00I the sum Of 1000. and
the presiding justice thereof the sum Of
S2'JoO per year 1t also provides:
Those justices elected in any judicial de-
partment other than the First or Soco1'd
ana ana ASSIGNED 10 the appellate divisions OF
while so assigned, receive from those d.
pa IliIeHts, respectively. as now provided
BY Jy law; f,, sueh additional sum as is paid to
the Justices of those departmentss
That is to say, justices from other
parts Of the state assigned to sit in the
First and Second departments shall re-
ceive $1,000 while so assigned. The
amendment is in line with the general
movement Of the last few years favoring
the increase of judges salaries
The amendment empowering the Leg
islature TO alter the interest on stare
debts would add the following to Section
of Article VII Of the constitution:
The Legislature may from time to ffn,o
alter the rate of interest to be Daid iuor
any state debt which has been or ma
be authorized pursuant TO the provisions
or this section. or upon any part of surb
debt; provided. however, that the rate 81
interest shall not be altered Iuon a3v
part Of such debt or upon auy bnnd ~,
other evidence thereof which has bean
or shall be, created or issued befora So,
alteration IN case the i.egisIsrIy..
creases the rate Of interest upon anv e,iob
debt, or part thereof. il shall irnnoS4 at,d
provide for the collection of a dire.t an
nual tax 10 pay. and sufficient 10 nav r.
increased or altered interest on sljcb an
as IL falls due and also to nav ana A.
charge the principal Of such debt With,
fifty years from the time Of the coptront go
ing thereof ana shall appropriate sDr.
ally TO the sinking fund moneys I'm amoiIrt
sufficient 10 pay such interest sd ~.
and discharge the principal Of such deht
when II shall become due aud PAYABLE
This amendment would enable tbe
state to adapt the interest raie on the
bonds it offers for sale to the condition
of the money market
Authority Is given 10 The Legislature
by the amendment which deals win