The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-01
THREATEN TO MAKE
CITY A NEW STATE
Democrats Use This as Argu-
ment for Increased Power
in Legislature.
BITTER FIGHT BEGUN

BITTER FIGHT BEGUN
ALBANY, June 30.-William +. Shee-
han, Morgan ]. O'Brien n Senator
Robert +. Wagner OF New York led Il
fight to-day to get the constitutional
convention to approve the O'Brien reso-
luton striking from the Constitution
the Limitation imposed on New York
city's representation in the LEGISLATURE.
For three and one-half hours there
was a hot debate on this proposition. the
Democrats threatening overwhelming
defeat for all proposals OF the conven-
tlon IL the restrictions are not removed
to change the present wording Of the
Constitution would lead to the forma-
ton of a movement to create New York
city as a State apart from New York
State.
Committee hearings scheduled for the
afternoon and evening prevented final
disposition OF tho question, but a vote
IL assured for Tomorrow, Majority
Leader George w. Wickersham ana the
other leaders having agreed that the
matter Will be disposed Of II the con
vention has to sit all night.
Must Hurry the Work.
TIL convention leaders ound to-day
that they must get through their work
and have the new Constitution In COM
plete form by August 10 " IL Is to be
submitted to the voters In November.
A special election could be called later
for presentation OF the document. bat
the leaders do not want to go to this x-
pense.
AS n means OF hurrying along the
work the convention liz expected to
adopt a resolution introduced by Lemuel
Ely Quigg providing for the holding Of
sessions Wednesday and Thursday
ni2 hts after the July 4 recess.
As the New York city Republicans Ire
opposed 20 the removing Of the ~res,ric-
tons on New York's representation In
the Legislature, the efforts Of Mr..
O'Brion and the Democrats are sure to
be defeated. Seth Low, the first Of the
New York Republicans to speak on the
subject. voiced opposition to the removal
Of the restricting clauses to-day.
Senate Wagner started the ball roll
ing to-day by calling up his motion to
disagree with an adverse report on the
O'Brien amendment from the committee
on legislative organization The COM
mittee in making this report was CON
temptuous." Mr.. Wagner said, and he
declared the same committee acted with
the boldness of Capt. Kidd" in making
n favorable report on an amendment
designed TO still further curtail the New
York representation.
Rule by Msjorities.
The limiting clauses can hold good
only II rule by majority Is wrong and
should be abolished. Mr.. Sheehan said.
Your answer II that territory and
not the majority OF the people should
rule declared Mr.. Sheehan. Your
answer is that this State has grown and
prospered under divisional and county
lines. and that while equal manhood
suffrage is OF In rural communities
IL is a duty To abridge IL in the great
city of New York.
III this convention continues the
wrong of 1894 it is inevitable that a
movement will be started for "A divi-
sion of the Commonwealth and for the
creation of a separate State from that
portion OF it which is penalized because
it is great. You cannot deny Justice
TO "A city destined to be the greatest
commercial and financial centre OF toe
world without starting "A c~oniiagration
that will ir~reparably injure those whom
you would protect"
The Republicans took the attitude that
New York must be prevented from OBJ
tanning control OF the State because
maJorlties.'
Senator Wagner threatened the new
Constitution with defeat at the hands OF
the voters of New York city II New
FORK does not receive equal representa-
ton. and he made a personal plea TO
President Elihu Root to see to II that
the city gets a fair chance
L~iteracy Test for Voters.
An educational qualification for voters
IL being pressed Cor passage by intiuen-
tial delegates. The committee on suf-
frage gave a hearing to-day upon the
proposition.
Gordon Knox Bell of New York and
Charles H.. Young of New Rochelle.
both Republicans, have Introduced
amendments upon this question and AT
the hearing to-day IL was agreed that
all who favored such a proposition would
support "A compromise amendment
drafted by Young, which provides that
after January J., 1918. no person shall
acquire the right to vote 10y attaining
majority. by naturalization or other
wise. unless sue person IL able except
for physical disability 10 read or write
the English language.
The state Superintendent of lanla
is made IA constitutional officer with
"A term of five ears and his jurisdiction
IL defined IN "A proposed constitutional
amendment which the committee on
banks is to give Il hearing upon on
July IA The present powers of the
Superintendent of Banks are retained
and his Jurisdiction is extended to all
persons who transact n of the bust
ness Of banking, provided they adver-
tise or hold themselves out TO the pub
lie as bankers. This would make Cer-
tain the Banking Departments super
vision OF private bankers,
The condition of some OF the East
Side private banks was one of the many
reasons which influenced the committee
to consider the provision,
Urges Tax Exemptions.
Charitable, religious and educationa
institutions are do ng a public work. and
as public servants are entitled TO la
their properties exempted from taxation
This sentiment was voiced to-day by
Dr, Nicholas Murray liutler, president