The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-30
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEN.
TON.
Retired Judges Of the Court Of Appeals
Who should lDe Dele ates.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Str. The
editorial Endorsement of the candidacy
OF William Barnes. Jr.. for delegate at
large to the coming constitutional con-
vention meets with appreciation on the
part OF Republicans VINO are disposed to
recognize the obligations OF the party. as
well as those citizens generally who be-
lieve In representative government under
a fixed constitution. for no man in the
State has been more faithful to the cause
than he, and 1t is but fair that he should
have an opportunity to display those
qualities OF craftsmanship which he un-
questionably possesses.
Eat a constitutional convention should
not be mere partisan organization; 1t
should. In Its personnel, measure up to
the character of the Institution II should
constitute an eptome OF the citizenship
of the State in IA manifestation OF the
sovereign powers. In other words, the
constitutional convention should not be n
representation of particular interests but
an exponent of the general welfare OF the
state, and men should be selected not 80
much from their political affiliations as
from their broad conceptions of public
policy and the common welfare OF all the
people OF the State. There will be small
men enough In the convention; we need
some men of statewide knowledge ana
experience. and the delegation at large
presents the opportunity for accomplishing,
this result we should not only have men
OF Mr.. Barnes's equipment. but we are
peculiarly fortunate In having group of
men who. with a little patriotism on the
part OF party organizations, might occupy
the position Of the old Roman jurscon-
suit IN the deliberations of that body
During the past few years Chief Judge
Edgar NJ Cuffen and Associate Judges
John Clinton Gray. Albert Haight and
Irving G.. Nann have been retired from the
Court Of Appeals because of their having
reached the age limit prescribed by the
Constitution. These men are stili vigor-
Gus physically and intellectually: they are
men who have touched shoulders with
comrades In the field of battle and along
many walks of life. and they have dealt
with litigation concerning every nook and
corner OF the state They know the men
and the institutions OF the State. and they
are known to all the people Two of
them. Judge Cullen and Judge Gray, are
Democrats, the other two are Republicans
they have all been chosen to the Court
of Appeals. II my memory serves me right
upon nominations made by both Of the
great political parties If this same pol
icy could be continued and these four
great jurists could be elected by common
consent We would have taken long step
in the right direction, and the setting of
tins high standard would have tend
ency To- call out the best talent Of the
state In revising and amending our Con-
stitution.
MY own experience in the convention
OF 1924 taught me the value of the coun-
sels OF men who had passed through the
storm and stress of lie, and who had
reached the years Of serenity. While
such men as John Bigeow. John NJ Fran
els. Thomas q. Alvord and William d.
Necder added but little TO the spectacular
work or the convention. their presence
added dignity TO the body and wisdom to
It's counse!s. and the four great Judges of
our highest court would be OF incalculable
value to the constitutional convention of
1915. BESJAMIN : Dy.y
JAMESTOWN Apr,l %