New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-19
Convention Purposes to
End Emergency Mes
sages by Governor.
EXECUTIVE BUDGET
SCHEME ADOPTED
Serial Short Term Bonds to Re-
place Long Term Issues
Militia Bills Pass.
From stan Correspondent Of The Tribun,l

From stan Correspondent, OF The Tfibun..I
Albany, Aug. 18.-The Constitutional
Convention passed the first proposed
amendment to the constitution this
morning. Before the day was over
seven more proposals were passed.
Such progress was made to-day that
the majority leader, Mr.. Wickersham,
predicted that all proposals would DO
acted on by September 4, so as to per-
nit final adjournment on September III.
A short recess TO allow the Committee
on Revision to clear up any incon-
aistencies that might be discovered viii
precede final adjournment.
Three of the proposals were impor-
tant. One provides for an executive
budget, another replaces the present
long term bonds with serial bonds, and
a third abolishes the emergency mes
sage Of the Governor.
Emergency Message Barred.
The first proposal adopted by the
convention was offered by H. Leroy
Austin, Of Albany. 1t strikes out the
provision in the present constitution
providing for emergency messages by
the Governor and provides that all bills
shall lie on the desks of legislators at
least three days before being passed.
This proposal was passed unanimously.
When it was first discussed u was
shown that the emergency message was
used by governors to jam through I'M
worthy measures in the closing hours
Of the Legislature.
The convention next passed three
proposals by Almet r. Latson, OF
Brooklyn. These affect the state mi
litis and provide that the Legislature
may prescribe the number and quail
tications of major generals and aide
de-camps; that the provision now in the
constitution permitting the Governor
to appoint chiefs of the several staff
departments shall be stricken out; that
all commissioned and non-commissiOned
officers chosen or appointed shall have
such qualifications as the Legislature
may deem conducive to the improve
ment Of the militia, and that commits
stoned officers may be removed for alb
sence from duty without leave for three
months, instead Of six months, as now
provided.
The Committee on Finances propo-
sal that the state shall issue serial
bonds 10 extend not longer than the
life OF the work or improvement, in
stead of long-term bonds, as at pres
ent. was then passed
The proposal providing for a sci
entifc budget to originate with the
Governor, instead of the Legislature,
was next passed, with only four votes
recorded against it. The threatened
fight by William Barnes on the meas
ure, which is popularity known as the
executive budget bill, did not materl-
alize.
Extra Pay Prohibited.
Ray B. Smiths proposal prohibiting
the payment of extra compensation to
contractors or public officials was then
passed unanimously
The Indian Committees bill abolish
ing the Indian tribal peacemakers'
courts, and placing the Indians under
all the laws that apply 10 other resi-
dents of the state, except that bestow-
ing suffrage, was passed by a vote Of
lZ9 to 60.
The Legislative Organization Com
mittee bill increasing the salaries Of
legislators TO 800 was taken from the
third reading calendar and recommit-
ted to the Committee of the Whole
after il became apparent that leaders
Of the convention were opposed 20 any
increase in salaries. Several amend
ments were offered to the bill. One, 0y
William Barnes, would have the sala-
ries remain at 81 800. but allow legisla-
tors weekly travelling expenses be-
tween their homes and the capital
Education Article Revised.
The education proposal was taken
from the third reading calendar after
a debate in which ex-Judge Morgan j.
O'Brien, william f. Sheehan and
others expressed their belief that 10
would interfere with parochial schools.
Jacob Gould Schurman. chairman %
the committee on education, said that
there was no such intent in the com
mittee and that the proposal could NOT
be so construed The committee met
later and reworded the article so that
il now reads:
"The state shall continue its SUPER
vision and control of the education OF
children in its free common schools
and shall exercise such supervision and
control elsewhere than in such schools
as il now possesses. and no powers IN
derogation thereof shall be conferred
upon the local authorities Of any civil
division thereof. The Legislature shall
provide for the maintenance and sup.
port of system of free common
schools wherein all the children Of the
state may be educated"
At the night session of the conven-
ton the proposed new judiciary arti-
Gle was debated. but no action was
taken.