The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-15
JUDGE PARKER FOR
NEW CONSTITUTION
Not Perfect, He Thinks, but
Faults Can Be Rem
edied.
DISAGREES WITH CULLEN

w seldom refuse to dine because
a f~avorite course has been omitted. We
should not reject the recommendations
of the Constitutional Convention because
something is omitted that we think
ought TO have been inserted"
This In Alton b. Parker's answer to
his fellow Democrat Edgar NJ. Cullen
and others who are hghtins the new
Constitution for the reason that 1t does
not meet their particular wishes. Judge
Parker's views were set forth yester-
day in a letter replying to an inquiry
from Dix W. Smith. a lawyer OF FL
mira. The letter says:
IL cannot say that everything mat
the convention did or omitted to do was
| right. On the contrary. in my Judgment
Il made a mistake in its failure to In
corporate into the Constitution a safe
guard against the assumption OF power
by the military department to try and
punish citizens not belonging to II IN
times when the civil authorities are in
operation.
FayOrs Judiciary Articie'
ct would favor the adoption OF the
proposed Constitution II there were no
other change recommended than the
amendment to the judiciary article. My
experience with its working. both on
the bench and at the bar. demonstrates
to me that the changes made are M
| the public interest. would have had
II written differently in one or two re-
spects, and so advocated before the
Judiciary committee Of tina convention.
While | am disappointed that my view
was not fully adopted. I shall not on
that account refuse to cast my vote IN
favor OF securing that which ! kno
will prove to be a vast Improvement IN
the working of it's judicial system.
Il am also anxious 10 have a trial
given TO the so-called short ballot pro-
visions Of the Constitution. We can
not close our eyes to the fact that not
only the taxpayer. but the public busi-
ness. Is burdened with commissions ana
bureaus that literally trespass upon each
other in their struggle for increase or
Jurisdiction and power. The number Is
said 10 be 1852. and the convention pro-
poses that In the place OF the 152 there
be substituted seventeen.
at Is but a little while ago and
toward the close Of Gov. HIS term thai
the annual expenditures of the state
were under sl4, 900. 900. Now they APP
proximate $50. 900 200.
Approves More Power for Governor
Experience seems to suggest that the
people cannot expect TO be relieved from
the burdens OF taxation or from the
trespasses OF useless officials unless
vastly increased W and responsibility
be vested in the Executive. And this
the proposed Constitution aims TO ac'
complish. II would be idle to say that
the first Governor TO be elected under
this new Constitution. or his successor,
will reach the full measure of respon-
sibiiity vested in that office. but II Is
certainly worth trying. 1t il the only
direction which at present seems to hold
on, any hope of the coming OF the day
when public business will be conducted
az private business IL conducted
PinchOt Is against II.
Amos pinchot, in an address last nigh
ut the Church of the Beloved Disciple
Eighty-ninth street and Madison avenue
assailed the proposed Constitution as 4
'mutilates. incomplete and Ill considered
instrument 80 undemocratic and un'
Intelligent In its form Of submission rs
run of jokers aimed aga. nst the public
What II will do TO the politics and The
people Of New York H. what such mer
as Mr.. Root. DE Lancey Nicoll and Judge
O'Brien have wllled hat it should" h.
said.
At the monthly meeting of the tnioI
League Club "A resolution was offer.,
providing for the appointment of a com
mittee Of ten to cooperate with o:he'