New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-06
Resent Stand on Education
insurgents Rebel at
Home Rule Article.
LABOR MEN OPPOSE
NEW CONSTITUTION
Quigg, Low. Smith, Steinbrink,
Foley and Wagner All Believe
Ii Improvement.
From star Correspondent Of The Tribune

From star Correspondent Of The Tribunel
Albany, Sept. with the actual
work of the Constitutional Convention
accomplished, except for the final
drafting of the thirty-four amend
ments passed, three big problems are
facing the leaders. These are, first
how to stir up public sentiment IN
favor Of the proposed constitution;
second, how to whip the insurgent Re
publican delegates behind the proposed
constitution, and, third, how to submit
the various amendments TO the people
separately or en- bloc. The third prob
lem is the easiest. That will be solved
on Thursday night, when the special
committee of which Herbert Parsons,
OF New York, is chairman, submits its
suggestions to the convention.
The second problem may never be
I solved. Interviews which The Tribune
correspondent has had with Republican
delegates from cities and towns north
OF the Harlem indicate that there is a
very strong sentiment against the bulk
of the work done by the convention.
The first problem is already on its
way toward solution Elihu Root
/ George W. Wickersham, Herbert Par
sons, Henry l.. Stimson and the rest OF
/ the so-called Federal crowd are now
considering plans to present to the vot-
ers of the state the reasons why the
constitution they have drafted should
be adopted.
Would Create Citizens Committee.
! Two features Of the plan have been
decided on. One consists of creating
a citizens committee, of which Joseph
! H. Choate, president of the 1894 Con-
stitutional Convention, is suggested as
! chairman. This committee will have
| representatives from every Assembly
| district in the state, to whom will be
intrusted the work of appealing di-
rectly to the people in their respective
localities to vote for the proposed con-
| stitution. The second feature Is the
sending to every voter in the state OF
pamphlet containing a summary Of
the chief reforms adopted by the con-
vention and the reasons for their adop-
ton. Especial emphasis will be laid
! on the Tanner short ballot proposal,
with its coordination and scientific
grouping Of state departments, and on
the executive budget, the judiciary arti-
Gle and the home rule for cities amend
! ment.
The insurgent Republican delegates,
with scarcely an exception. favor the
| judiciary article and the executive bud
get, but rebel at the home rule amend
ment, the short ballot and the failure
of the convention to adopt the original
Schurman education provision. The
Schurman amendment provided that
the supervision and control of the ed
ucation of the children of the state
should remain the duty and function
of the state and should never be sur
rendered. Fearful lest this amend
ment would introduce the religious
! question into the debates on the floor
of the convention. the leaders had it
recommitted 10 the education commit
tee. A compromise measure. stating
that the state should continue its SUI
pervision and control of the education
of children as state function. was
reported out. This was beaten by the
delegates, who believed the first pro-
posal should have been adopted.
Education Stand Censured.
This morning The Tribune CORE
spondent was talking with three dis
tinguished delegates in the Hotel Ten
Eyck Said one of them:
eve three come from upstate coun-
ties. We are from widely separated
parts of the state. But | know that
the people in our localities and this
| is true of all upstate counties will
censure this convention for refusing
to take stand on the education of the
children Of the state. | am also GER
tain that they will resent its failure
to pass a literacy test" His compan-
ions agreed with him.
While many of the insurgent Re-
publicans have accepted their defeat at
the hands of the regulars" with good
grace, others have been outspoken
since adjournment last night. The
same can be said of the Democrats
| Appended are some brief comments of
representatives Of both parties, which
show the diversity of views with re-
spect to what the convention has done:
Lemuel Ely Quigg, Republican, Aus
terlitz: "The constitution will be APP
proved by the people. 1t is great i'm
provement over the present organic
law"
H. Leroy Austin, Republican, Cats
kill: much of the good accomplishe ed
by the convention was undone in the
fatigue of the closing hours"
Deserves Support, Says Low.
Seth Low, Republican, New York:
"The work as a whole deserves the sup
port of the people"
George II. Bunce, Republican, Herki-
mer: 1.-THE whole work of the conven-
ton should be defeated. The present
constitution is far superior to what We
have done"
Meier Steinbrink, Republican, Brook
lyn: "The best constitution drawn BY
any state. II will go long way
toward curing many Of our political
ailments"
William S. Ostrander, Republican
Saratoga: Largely experimental, con
siderably legislative. paternallstic ant
a gold mine for lawyers and ofhcehold
ers."
Senator James A. Foley. Democrat
q. New York: "A great Improvement over
our present constitution"
Senator Robert I. Wagner: Some OF
the proposals will spell great reforms
But | don't like the retention of tht
vicious Limitation of New York Clty''
legislative representation"
Al Smith laughed when asked for his
opinion. 1t was a short time after M
Rad seen the Wickersham ma
chine throw him out of its path in the
closing moments of the convention
"Its not such bad job" he said
"Having run steam roller myself,
must say that ! admire the way Mr.
Wickersham handled his machine: But
saw, who was it that used the ehlorin'
gas on me?"
Labor Men Oppose Constitution.
Many of the Democrats. who would
not permit their names TO be used. de
clared it would be bad politics for The